Fears grow for NI cyclist missing on trip to Israel

CONCERN is growing for a Northern Ireland man who is missing in Israel, with friends and family saying they are very worried about him.

Rescue teams are searching for Oliver McAfee from Dromore, who was last seen on November 21.

The 29-year-old, who lives in Essex, went on a cycling trip to Israel at the end of October for five weeks and was supposed to return in December.

Family and friends have created a Facebook page in the hope of jogging memories and tracking him down.

Police and the UK Foreign Office have also been alerted.

They believe he has not left Israel because his passport has not Vanished: Ollie McAfee went on a cycling trip to Israel in October

crossed a border. Items including a tablet computer, wallet and keys were found near a trail in a park in the south of Israel.

His bike, bags and shoes were found near an apparent campsite nearby.

Israeli authorities, along with Interpol and the Foreign Office, have conducted numerous searches but have not found Ollie or his passport.

Friend Mark Fletcher told the Belfast Telegraph it was “awful” not knowing where his friend is, orifheisOK.

“Ollie is a lovely guy — he’s quite shy, but has a big heart and is generous with his time and skills,” he said. “He loves helping people and despite his shyness enjoys travel and meeting new people.

“His family are doing as well as you might imagine — this is obviously really hard for all of us that know him. It’s awful to not know where he is and not know if he’s okay or not.”

Ollie’s friends and family have urged anyone with any information or who knows anyone in Israel to contact their page Missing: Ollie McAfee in Israel.