William Earl Powell, 72, of Garland was found Sunday afternoon. He had been the object of a statewide Silver Alert for six days.
He was found on the banks of South River about a mile west of US Highway 701, south of Garland.
Early reports indicate he was alert, but dehydrated. He was airlifted to New Hanover Regional Hospital for evaluation.
Powell suffers from dementia and may have attempted to avoid search crews. According to authorities, search teams had covered the area where he was found numerous times over the past few days.
Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton expressed his thanks to all who assisted in the search.
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