READSBORO -- State police reported the rescue of a missing person in Readsboro last week, when a local man became separated from a group and was found hours later dehydrated and tired but otherwise in good health.

In a written release from Sgt. Brian Turner, police reported the incident occurred shortly after noon on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Troopers responded to West Hill Drive in Readsboro, where they determined that a real estate worker had been showing a piece of land to a prospective buyer and several others when one man became separated from the group and could not be located. Police identified the missing person as 67-year-old Robert Martins of Arlington.

A state police K9 unit was on the scene and attempted a quick search of the area but was unsuccessful. When Martins wasn’t found immediately, Readsboro Fire was called in to assist with the search. Turner and Readsboro Fire Chief Adam Codogni worked together to develop a unified command of the search. Based on the size of the area, authorities decided that more resources were needed and additional troopers, including another K9 unit, along with members of the Florida, Mass. and Whitingham fire departments were called in with four-wheel ATVs. North Adams, Mass., Rescue was also placed on stand-by at the scene.

Several hours into the search, a trooper heard screams for help. Police said searchers saturated the area and located Martins at 4:15 p.m. in a thick area of woods. Martins was very dehydrated and tired but otherwise was in good health, and was transported out of the woods by Readsboro firefighters with a four-wheeler. Martins was evaluated by rescue personnel at the scene and was returned home by a state trooper.

-- Zeke Wright