NEW SCOTLAND – Authorities are searching Thacher Park for a 71-year-old Guilderland man who has been missing since Monday.
Bruce L. Decker’s now snow-covered Mustang is still sitting in the Paint Mine parking lot where it has been for the entire week. The Paint Mine hiking trails are located across the road from the iconic 1,200-foot escarpment.
A check of his residence indicated he may not have been home since Monday. There was no missing person’s report filed, said Randy Simons, a spokesman for state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Authorities have not yet been able to reach his family, he said.
Authorities began searching for Decker throughout the 2,155-acre park on Thursday using manpower, aerial drones and K-9 units.
Many reports indicate he was a frequent visitor to the park and its 25 miles of hiking trails.
He is described as a white male standing about 5-foot, 9 inches
with gray hair. He was last seen wearing gray pants, a black jacket, a gray plaid scarf and dark boots.
Park Police are being assisted by rangers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the Albany County Sheriff’s Department and the Albany County Search and Rescue team.
Anyone with information is urged to call Park Police as 518-584-2004.
