Missing Man Found After 4-Hour Search in Pine Township

On an extremely cold night, a four-hour search of the woods around Pinkerton Road in Pine Township ended when a missing man jumped into the back of an ambulance stationed at the scene and was transported to Allegheny General Hospital to be treated for hypothermia, according to police.

Ashleigh "Paul" Devanney, 57,  was reported missing by his brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Nancy Devanney, about 10 p.m. Saturday, said Northern Regional Police.

The couple told police that Ashleigh Devanney is bipolar and suffers from depression and anxiety. 

The Devanneys called police about 30 minutes after Paul went out the back door of their home on Pinkerton Road wearing no shoes or coat -- only socks, jeans, a flannel shirt and a sweater, police said.

"The Devanneys were concerned due to the prolonged period Ashleigh was exposed to the cold weather conditions (approximately 15-20 degrees) and requested assistance in locating him,” according to the police report.

Police searched the neighborhood and surrounding area but did not find them. They used their  “A Child is Missing Alert” database to telephone and ask residents in the surrounding area to look out for Ashleigh and to call police if he was sighted.

Wexford and Marshall townships' volunteer fire departments were called to help in the search efforts and McCandless/Franklin Park EMS was dispatched to stand by on Pinkerton Road for medical aid, police said.

A Ross Township canine police officer also responded. Because of the large geographical area, he advised police to call in search-and-rescue dogs. 

Assistant Chief Todd Plunkett of Baldwin Borough EMS arrived with a search-and-rescue K-9. Canine Aided Emergency Search and Rescue -- CAESAR Southwest -- also sent two handlers with bloodhounds to help with the search.

Because of Pinkerton Road's proximity to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the Pennsylvania State Police's turnpike division was asked to be on the lookout for the missing man. State police also called in a search helicopter to help with rescue efforts.

 “The chopper was doing his search with night-vision equipment,” said Chief Robert Amann of Northern Regional Police Department. 

“After several passes from (the helicopter), McCandless/Franklin Park EMS reported that a male matching Ashleigh’s description had just run from the woods, opened the back door of the ambulance, and sat down on the stretcher," according to the police report.

Police determined that the man was Ashleigh Devanney and called off the search. Medics treated him before transporting him to Allegheny General Hospital to be treated for his "severe hypothermic condition," the police report said.