Drone helps search team locate missing 92-year-old Virginia hunter

A missing 92-year-old hunter was found safe after a drone was used to locate him, authorities said.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office launched its drone at around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday to help Shenandoah County officials find William McDonnell who went hunting in the Laurel Run area of the county.

Officials say McDonnell was located about 20 minutes later in a heavily wooded area of Shenandoah County after the drone was deployed. Search teams on the ground were use coordinates from the drone to find McDonnell.

"This new technology allows our deputies to more efficiently search for missing persons, especially those in the Project Lifesaver Program, and bring them home safe," Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said in a statement. "We are pleased we were able to assist Shenandoah County and safely return this man to his family."

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office says it is the first time they were successful in locating a missing person since they implemented the new drone technology in September.