Snowmobiler missing since Sunday found alive near Seven Springs

JENNERSTOWN, Pa. — State police and emergency crews have found a snowmobiler alive, three days after he left to ride alone in the Laurel Mountains in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Troopers from the Somerset barracks said Bruce Maust, 50, was found near Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

Pennsylvania State Trooper John Matchik said a ground unit located a snowmobile that had gone through some ice and landed in a pond that matched the description of Maust’s.

“I saw the snowmobile in the middle of the pond. Half of it was underneath the water and half of it was sticking above,” Matchik said.

Crews followed some marks on the ice and snow to a wooded area nearby where Maust was found, Matchik said. He had taken shelter under some trees.

“You know, we started to lose faith after three days, so it’s just amazing,” Maust’s sister, Nicole, said.

Maust was able to walk on his own to an ambulance where he was transported to Somerset Hospital. He appeared to be in good condition, but did tell emergency crews he thought he had only been missing for one day.

“He was in good condition. He was soaking wet and cold, but he was in great health,” Pennsylvania State Trooper Luigi Dirienzo said.

Maust had been last seen when he left to ride near Jennerstown about 3 p.m. Sunday.

According to Matchik, investigators were able to trace him to the resort because of a bank transaction.

“We learned that on Sunday, at approximately 2:30, he utilized an ATM machine on site at the resort,” Matchik said.

Maust's family said he suffers from a medical condition which can cause dementia. It wasn't immediately clear if that contributed to Maust being lost or missing.

Crews searched about 12 hours each on Monday and Tuesday before finding him late Wednesday morning.

WPXI