Help sought to find Briton, 76, missing on Greek island

Russell Ward, from Stokesley, was last seen on the Island of Tilos, near Rhodes, Greece, on Thursday 14 June.

The 76-year-old was on a family holiday when he failed to return to his accommodation after going for a walk on the morning of 14 June.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been informed and Mr Russell’s family is receiving liaison support from North Yorkshire Police which has issued an appeal for any holidaymakers who were or are on Tilos and who may have information to contact the FCO.

A spokesman said: “It is believed he headed along the coast of Gera which lies south of the main port of Livadia. It is possible he may have then headed inland to complete a circular route back to Livadia.

“Search and rescue efforts proved unsuccessful and local police are conducting a missing person investigation. This ongoing inquiry is being supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Family members do not believe he can have left the island and have launched pages on social networking sites Twitter and Facebook to help spread the word, calling for anyone who might be able to help to contact the Foreign Office on 0207 008 1500.

Residents on the island have also included information on the missing pensioner on its own social networking pages in the hope it may be spotted by someone who may have seen the experienced walker, who was said to be have good health and fitness.

When last seen, Mr Russell was dressed in khaki shorts and a light shirt with yellow/brown checks, wearing walking boots and carrying a small rucksack at the Apollo Studios Hotel where he had spent the first night of his holiday.

He had been booked in from June 13 to 17 while his wife Jill was visiting their daughter on Rhodes. A chamber maid raised the alarm when he failed to return.

A search involving a helicopter and tracker dogs, three officers – Tilos’s entire force – had searched the island, which is only eight miles long and five miles wide.

Police deputy Achilleas Karamboutakis said the missing man’s photo had been shown to all 533 people on the island and there was no record of him leaving by the ferry.