Missing 71-year-old biker in Altavista found, airlifted to hospital

Authorities say they found the man at the bottom of a steep embankment

ALTAVISTA, Va. – A missing 71-year-old man was found Tuesday night and airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital after crashing his bike, according to the Altavista Police Department.

Authorities say Donald Wilkerson, an avid biker who is well known in the area, was reported missing Tuesday. Officers were told that the man had been last seen in the Bedford Avenue area earlier that day.

At about 11:32 p.m., officers found Wilkerson near his home at the bottom of a steep embankment after an apparent bike wreck.

The man was then stabilized by volunteers and eventually extricated from the embankment with the help of medical personnel.

According to the department, Wilkerson was airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.