Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 17, 1993 TAG: 9304170387
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
MAN TRIES TO WALK 30 MILES HOME FROM UVA HOSPITAL
A 71-year-old man wound up back in University of Virginia Hospital after trying to walk 30 miles back to his Louisa County home after he was discharged.William Abernathy of Mineral was in good condition Friday, several days after leaving the hospital, where he was recovering from two heart operations.
"He's just resting in the hospital," said his wife, Ethel Abernathy. "They'll keep him there for a while. I talked to him last night. He says he's doing OK."
Abernathy began his trek Tuesday after he grew impatient when his son was late picking him up. He stormed out of the hospital after asking an attendant which stairwell led to U.S. 29.
Abernathy was found Wednesday nearly unconscious and dehydrated 18 miles from UVa Hospital. He had tried to follow the railroad tracks home instead of the road, Ethel Abernathy said.
"That's why no one could find him," she said. "Everyone thought he would be going down Route 29. We didn't know whether we'd see him alive or not."
Abernathy carried no money and no identification except for his hospital wrist band. He apparently walked through the night, never making a phone call or asking for food. He said vagrants stole his medicine.
"He's always been a stoic sort of man who felt it was important to rely on yourself," said Abernathy's son, Bentley Westfield.
Workers on a CSX engine Wednesday afternoon spotted a man who fit Abernathy's description lying on the tracks 18 miles east of town. But when authorities searched the area, no one was found.
Later, a westbound passenger train caught a glimpse of a figure nearly covered by bushes on the north side of the track and alerted authorities.
A Pegasus helicopter spotted Abernathy and flew him back to the hospital he tried to leave about 30 hours earlier. He was 12 miles short of his destination.
Family members said Abernathy is in good shape but is dehydrated and may have suffered kidney damage. It is unknown when he will be discharged, Ethel Abernathy said.
She said her husband has always been very determined, which was one of the reasons she was attracted to him in the first place.
"I was kind of upset with him, but I kind of knew he wanted to get home. He's a very strong guy," she said.
She said she has been unable to visit her husband because she is confined to a wheelchair and can't leave the house. They talk on the phone about twice a day.
"He's anxious to come home but he's going to wait this time until someone comes to get him," his wife said.