Arabic version: مجتمع هاي كانتري يحيي ذكرى جاكوبوس «جون» باكوم

According to ABC News, Jacobus ‘John’ Bakkum, 85, has died in a Melbourne hospital after being found trapped in his car two days after he went missing following dinner at a High Country pub with his wife, Mary.

Mr Bakkum was reported missing on Sunday night when he did not return from the short drive between the Harrietville Hotel and his Harrietville home. Mary Bakkum had walked home, as the couple regularly did after meals at the hotel. It is believed he drove the wrong way along the Great Alpine Road before his vehicle was spotted down an embankment off the Omeo Highway in Mitta Mitta, about 85 kilometres from his home.

A passer-by saw the vehicle just after 11am on Tuesday. Victoria Police said a high-angle rescue was launched to recover Mr Bakkum, who was taken to hospital with injuries then considered non-life-threatening. Police said their investigation into the circumstances of the crash remains ongoing, and have asked witnesses or anyone with footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

Family members remembered Mr Bakkum as a central figure in Harrietville and the Alpine community, where the Bakkums have had close ties since moving to the area in the 1970s. His nephew, Trevor Castricum, said Mr Bakkum had been involved in the community since arriving in Harrietville in 1971.

Mr Bakkum served as local postmaster, ran the town general store for many years and helped establish a building company that constructed homes, chalets and public buildings across Harrietville and Victoria’s High Country. He also held roles with the school, hall and historical committees, and was captain of the fire brigade. The family thanked police, paramedics, CFA crews, friends and relatives who helped search for him, saying he was deeply loved and will be missed.