British tourist, 76, is found 'dehydrated' nearly 48 hours after vanishing from Costa del Sol bar

A British pensioner has been found 'dehydrated' nearly 48 hours after vanishing from a Costa del Sol bar. Clifford Wildgoose, 76, sp...

A British pensioner has been found 'dehydrated' nearly 48 hours after vanishing from a Costa del Sol bar.

Clifford Wildgoose, 76, sparked fears after going missing from Patrick's 19th Hole Bar in the upmarket resort of Puerto Banus near Marbella at around 2am on Saturday, September 20.

His daughter Melanie Hall told how they had been 'worried sick' at her father's disappearance, particularly because he had left his phone and passport in a friend's apartment in La Cala de Mijas, approximately 30 minutes from Puerto Banus.

Payments on Mr Wildgoose's card on the morning he vanished, and the night before, were also subject to investigation by Spanish authorities as they looked to track him down.

With concerns for the father-of-five's wellbeing growing more after he missed a flight home to Manchester on Sunday morning, a major hunt to locate him was launched on social media and in the press.

And it was an eagle-eyed American tourist who spotted the British pensioner in a supermarket after reading one of the appeals at around 10.30pm local time today.

The tourist instantly made a call to Melanie to say she had seen her father, and waited with him as Spanish authorities rushed to the scene.

Speaking of her relief, Melanie said: 'To say I'm delighted is an understatement. I got straight on the phone to police and they went to pick him up and have taken him to hospital.'

Mr Wildgoose's daughter said her father's wife, Joanne, and other relatives had just touched down in Spain to join the search for the 76-year-old when she received the call.

They had feared something may have gone terribly wrong for Mr Wildgoose, who Melanie said was 'not steady on his feet' due to a previous knee replacement and 'other health issues'. 

She continued: 'My dad is unwell and he was dehydrated when he was found and we're not sure where he's been sleeping because he apparently looks very tired. But the important thing is he's been found and he's now safe.

'It's just amazing that an American tourist of all people has recognised my dad the way he did.'

Mr Wildgoose had only flown to Spain for the weekend to spend time with his friend and 'wasn't feeling very well' when he vanished. 

As of yet there is no explanation as to what caused Mr Wildgoose's disappearance.

Melanie says the most important thing is having her father safe and in the hands of medics, adding: 'I can't thank him and all the other people who have helped enough.'

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