Search continues for missing hiker with dementia

(KRON) — Search and rescue operations continue for a 79-year-old hiker with dementia, Elaine McKinley, who went missing five days ago in San Mateo County’s Windy Hill Preserve.
McKinley disappeared Thursday night while hiking with friends near Skyline Boulevard.

Since then, 500 volunteers from various agencies have been involved in the search, utilizing foot patrols, drones, and canine units.

“We’re looking at the places where someone would leave the trail and maybe go hide and hunker down and stay warm at night,” said Ray Kruck, head of volunteer operations at the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

The search area, Windy Hill Preserve, presents significant challenges due to its dense topography. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office has employed chainsaws to navigate the heavily wooded and brush-filled terrain, which also contains thick poison oak.

Volunteers have covered dozens of miles in their search efforts, facing additional obstacles such as wind, high heat, and the presence of rattlesnakes.

McKinley was last seen wearing a red down jacket and black pants. The Sheriff’s Office plans to deploy ATVs at sundown to assist in covering the rough terrain more effectively.

Kruck emphasized the dedication of the search teams, stating, “Everyone is going every day as if it’s day one so hopefully it’s just a matter of time that we can find her.”

All facts from this article were gathered by KRON4 journalists. The article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KRON4 staff.