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Mushroom picker dies after two nights lost in Dordogne forest
The man was found alive after his dog’s barks alerted searchers but later died in hospital
A 60-year-old mushroom picker in Dordogne has died in hospital after spending two nights lost in a forest, where his Jack Russell dog helped searchers locate him.
The man went out to collect mushrooms on Thursday, November 5, but failed to return home. His family reported him missing, prompting a search involving gendarmerie dog-handling teams and a helicopter.
He was found alive on Saturday, November 7, in the Forêt Barade, near Fossemagne where he lived, after his dog began barking at a participant in an organised search involving local residents.
The man was unconscious and suffering from severe hypothermia after spending two nights outdoors in temperatures of around 5C. He was taken to hospital in Périgueux, where he subsequently died.
Rules for mushroom picking in France
Autumn is a popular season for mushroom picking, but there are several rules and safety precautions to observe.
In state-owned forests, picking is generally permitted for personal consumption, with a limit of five litres per person per day, unless local regulations impose stricter restrictions.
French authorities measure mushrooms in litres rather than kilos since their weight can vary significantly depending on variety and volume is easier for agents to check.
Different rules may apply on private land, where permission from the owner is required. Local restrictions can also prohibit picking in particular areas or at certain times.
The Office National des Forêts (ONF) advises pickers to:
Only collect mushrooms they can identify with certainty. Smartphone identification apps should not be relied upon, as they can produce dangerous errors.
Take the entire mushroom, including its stem, to help with identification.
Avoid damaged, old or immature specimens.
Use a basket or cardboard box rather than a plastic bag, and keep different species separate.
Have uncertain specimens checked by a pharmacist or mycology specialist before eating them.
The health authorities also advise against eating wild mushrooms raw, recommend keeping consumption moderate and say they should be refrigerated and eaten within two days.
Anyone experiencing nausea, vomiting, dizziness or other symptoms after eating wild mushrooms should contact a poison control centre, or the authorities in a life-threatening emergency, immediately.
What to do if you get lost in a forest
The gendarmerie recommends taking a few precautions before setting off, even for a short walk.
Tell someone where you intend to go and when you expect to return. Take a fully charged mobile phone, warm and waterproof clothing, a torch and sufficient water. Avoid setting out late in the day.
If you become lost, stop rather than continuing to wander in an attempt to find your way back. Call 112 and give rescuers your location or GPS coordinates if available.
If your phone battery is running low, the gendarmerie advises moving to an open, visible area if possible, then staying put. Leave a detailed message explaining your location, surroundings, clothing and any injuries before the battery runs out.
Remaining in one place makes it easier for search teams to locate you.
