Man who disappeared in Victorian High Country dies days after rescue
An elderly man who was missing for two days after visiting a High Country pub with his wife is being remembered for his volunteering efforts in the community following his death.
Jacobus John Bakkum, 85, a beloved member of Harrietville and the Alpine communities in Victoria, passed away on Thursday after a two-day missing ordeal. His wife, Mary, had reported him missing on Sunday night following his absence from a dinner at a local pub. Initially, Bakkum was found trapped in his car, which had crashed down an embankment on the Great Alpine Road, around 85 kilometers from his Harrietville home.
On Tuesday morning, a high-angle rescue operation was launched to locate the elderly man, who was subsequently taken to a Melbourne hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Bakkum's extensive involvement in the community is highlighted by his roles as a postmaster, general store owner, and founder of a local building company.
He held various positions, including those in the school, hall, and historical committees, as well as serving as captain of the fire brigade. His nephew, Trevor Castricum, expressed deep sorrow over his loss and praised the outpouring of support from police, paramedics, CFA crews, and friends during the search. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing, and anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
