Jacobus “John” Bakkum, 85, has died in a Melbourne hospital after being found alive in his crashed car in Victoria’s High Country. His disappearance prompted a major search and drew community support, while police continue to investigate what caused the crash, including whether he experienced a medical episode.

Mr Bakkum disappeared on Sunday after dinner at the Harrietville Hotel, when he did not return from the usual 500-metre drive home. CCTV later recorded his Toyota Prado in Omeo, 85km away; he was found on Tuesday down an embankment near Mitta Mitta, around 150km from home, and rescued with initially non-life-threatening injuries. He died on Thursday and was remembered as a longstanding, active contributor to the Harrietville and Alpine communities.