How did frail 48kg man just disappear?
Gordon Mclean left Wakari Hospital with no cellphone, no cash and no clues as to where he was heading.
Since he walked out of the Dunedin hospital at 3pm on Thursday, there have been no confirmed sightings of the frail 63-year-old.
That’s despite more than 50 searchers spending more than 1600 hours looking for the man known as ‘‘Gordy’’.
That search has included ‘‘some of the best searchers in the country’’, diverted from an exercise near Dunedin, search and rescue coordinator Sergeant Richard Panting said.
CCTV footage has failed to reveal sightings of Mclean, nor has a public plea for residents to check their sections and outbuildings resulted in any sightings.
Police had also repeatedly checked a former Balmacewen property where he used to live, but to no avail.
The missing man was 152cm tall and weighed just 48kg. He was described as frail and vulnerable by Panting.
Mclean was incontinent and concerns were mounting over his welfare.
He had not eaten for 48 hours before he went missing, which was not unusual for him, and he was due to have a monthly dose of medication.
Mclean, who had limited verbal communication, had been in and out of institutions since he was a teenager, Panting said.
Police were now asking whether anyone had spotted a slipper, similar to that worn by Mclean.
He confirmed Mclean had no cash or phone, and he had told noone about his plans to leave the hospital where he was a resident in a non-secure facility.
He largely kept to himself in his room, and liked to read, particularly the Bible.
Mclean had no known associates or friends, and ‘‘he didn’t engage much by all accounts,’’ Panting said.
His care was managed by a trust, and he was known to have a sister who was unwell.
A decade ago Mclean hitchhiked a considerable distance, and this could not be discounted again, Panting said.
A Dunedin woman recalled Mclean as living rough near her home and ‘‘he was a nice man to talk to’’.
‘‘I hope he is found safe and well.’’
CCTV footage at the hospital captured footage of the bearded Mclean, who was last seen wearing a dark polar fleece and trousers, a red polo shirt, brown slippers and a black sleeveless puffer jacket.
Southern District Health Board medical director Dr Brad Strong said the DHB was ‘‘increasingly concerned’’ about Mclean’s wellbeing and would be reviewing how he came to leave the hospital.
Anyone with information was urged to ring Dunedin police or, if you think you have seen him, ring 111.