After days likely involving drinking creek water and eating mud, rescued man Ronald Weaver had two words for his wife.
"I'm hungry."
The 79-year-old, who suffers from Alzheimer's, was found on Friday in dense bushland in Sydney's north 73 hours after he strode out of his Wahroonga home.
He spent three days wandering the bush before becoming wedged between trees sometime on Thursday.
The area had been searched on Wednesday before half a dozen SES workers decided to canvass the area again.
"It was just by chance the SES worker ... saw Ron's legs coming out from the tree," Assistant Superintendent Carlene Mahoney told reporters on Saturday.
As rescuers worked to free Mr Weaver, he called out for his wife of 18 years, Hannah.
She said she was elated when she learnt he had been found.
"I'm 60-plus, but I just jumped up like a little girl," Ms Weaver said.
"Thank you everyone ... it's a miracle."
Given his dementia, Mr Weaver hasn't been able to say how he spent the 73 hours lost.
Police presume he sustained himself on creek water while Ms Weaver spent Friday evening trying to clean mud from his teeth, likely from him attempting to eat it.
Mr Weaver remained in a confused state on Saturday and was considered to be in a critical condition due to dehydration and related kidney issues.
While normally not adventurous, he disappeared on Tuesday after unlocking a door, and did not have his usual GPS tracker on.
Ms Weaver said she was moved by efforts to find her husband.
More than 100 people from several emergency services headed out each day on foot, horse or trail bike, trekking through the bushland and doorknocking homes.
Ms Weaver also thanked the community, recalling fondly how some people had clapped the ambulance as Mr Weaver was taken to hospital.
"Thank you for everyone's blessings."
