August 19, 2019 – Town of Polk, WI – A missing 63-year-old Jackson woman, Kathy Thomson, has been found safe after being involved in a single-vehicle accident at 2:25 a.m. on County Highway C near Mayfield Road.
Lt. Tim Kemps provided a live update just before 3 p.m. Monday, August 19.
“We began a search and made contact with the family and learned the woman had some significant health history limited ability due to a recent stroke,” said Lt. Tim Kemp. “We focused in the search with our canine unit and infrared and this morning we used Flight for Life, drones and assistance from the Jackson Fire Department.”
K-9 Rescue SOS was called in from the Madison area. “They located her in a heavily wooded area about 500 feet from the accident scene,” said Kemp.
The woman had been missing about 12 hours. Lt. Kemp said the woman was alert and able to communicate with rescue personnel about her injuries.
Thomson was transported to Froedtert St. Joseph’s Hospital. Her family said she is in critical condition.
The initial post from the Washington County Sheriff is below.
Date: 8/19/19
Subject: Silver Alert/ Car Accident 19-29700
Authority: Lt. Tim Kemps
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a motor vehicle accident on CTH C near Mayfield Road in the Town of Polk at 2:25 am. The caller heard the accident and immediately called. He then responded to the scene and found that a car had struck a utility pole head-on at a high rate of speed. The caller did not locate any occupants in the area.
Upon arrival, Sheriff’s Deputies began an extensive search of the area on foot and with the use of a drone, as well as other Forward-Looking Infra-Red cameras. The Sheriff’s Office K9 was also utilized in the search effort.
It was learned that the car was most likely driven by a 63-year-old Town of Jackson woman Kathleen Ann Thomson, who has significant medical issues. Kathleen has limited mobility and typically walks with the assistance of a walker. The walker was left behind at the residence along with her cell phone. She also has recently suffered a stroke which has limited her communication abilities. It is unknown where she was traveling to. Kathleen is possibly wearing a black blouse with light blue Bermuda shorts, and black tennis shoes. She is 5’08”, 180 lbs. and has grey shoulder length hair.
The search for Kathleen is ongoing at this time. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office search effort was assisted by the Jackson Fire Department on the ground and Flight for Life Helicopter who conducted an aerial search, as well as neighbors in the area of the accident. We continue to utilize all resources at our disposal in an effort to locate her and would like to thank all of the partners, both public and private, for their effort.
The search and investigation into this incident will continue. A volunteer K9 search group “Wisconsin K9 SOS” will also be joining the search efforts. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has not been able to rule out the possibility that she was picked up at the scene. Family has not heard from her since the accident. A Wisconsin Silver Alert has been issued. We ask that anyone with information contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at (262) 335-4378.
