An 82-year-old man who had been missing for three was finally found alive on a river bank in Montrose Country Thursday.

According to The Denver Channel, Robert McLeroy was last seen Monday morning when he left Nucla for Grand Junction.

Search crews searched for McLeroy for three days before he was found by his grandson, Ethan Archer, along the San Miguel River off Highway 141.

“The biggest things was just narrowing down a place to look for him,” pointed Travis Thompson of the Montrose County Sheriff's Office (MCSO).

The investigator added they were not able to get a specific location off of McLeroy's phone and this made the search more difficult.

The Denver Post reported that “search efforts focused on the Uncompahgre Plateau included fixed-wing aircrafts and helicopters, volunteers” and a Montrose County sheriff's posse.

Car Crash
Representational image. Getty Images/John Cowpland

KDVR said the 22-year-old Archer found his granfather “when he was searching the river in a kayak.” It was here that he knew McLeroy had an accident since his red Ford Taurus was positioned “nosedown in the river.”

Investigators also believed that McLeroy attempted to climb back to the highway but fell back.

McLeroy was conscious when Archer found him laying inverted on the riverbank. He was immediately transported to a Grand Junction hospital due to the severity of his condition.

“The wreck was partially invisible from above due to the thick foliage and steep embankment, but was easily seen from below,” said Archer.

Together with his father Ivan and responding authorities, Archer had to cut several trees and used ropes and pulleys to rescue McLeroy.

“This is a true miracle,” said Lt. William McClellan, who added that McLeroy is a beloved member of the west end community.

“On behalf of the MCSO, I am proud to be able to safely reunite him with his family.”

Archer, meanwhile, thanked the organizations and individuals who helped them in their search and rescue operations.

“My father and I were surprised to find Bob alive and conscious when he reached him,” read Archer's statement.

He also described McLeroy to be “a strong man and is doing well despite the circumstances,” although he admitted that his grandfather's recovery will be tough.

“We are incredibly thankful for all those who contributed to the search effort and grateful to God for the many blessings He has provided us today.”