Pensioner missing for two weeks told family: I think I need hospital

THE STEPDAUGHTER of a York pensioner missing for more than two weeks has spoken of the growing agony over his disappearance.

Joseph Cafferkey, inset, known as Joe, was reported missing on Friday October 2 after he failed to turn up for a doctor’s appointment.

But he has not been heard from since two days earlier, when he spoke to a neighbour.

Stepdaughter Debbie Smith said his disappearance was totally out of character.

She said that the family were especially concerned about him as he had “not been the same” since he was widowed five years ago.

His last words to her in a phone call on the Tuesday were, “I think

I need to go to hospital”. The 72- year- old visited a local post office and spoke to his neighbour on the phone at around lunchtime on Wednesday September 30 after he attended a doctor’s appointment earlier in the morning. However, a subsequent appointment he had booked for two days later came and went with him not showing up.

Two days before that, Mr Cafferkey, who is originally from Ireland and speaks with a strong Irish accent, had had workers at his home in Acomb cutting down trees in his garden.

“We have been worried about Joe for some time,” said Ms Smith, 56, who is also from York. “He started drinking quite a lot when my mum died and he has been having a few accidents.

“Only days before he went missing, he had a fall against a worktop in his kitchen and suffered a wound to his stomach. That’s what his appointments during the week were for.”

Concerns were initially raised for Mr Cafferkey on the Thursday when his neighbour, who is a friend and has a key to his home, did not see him as usual.

The next day, the same neighbour rang him and got no answer so went round and let herself in to check he was all right.

After finding his home empty and his cat starving, Mr Cafferkey was reported missing.

North Yorkshire Police have been looking at CCTV and conducting local searches.

Anyone who may have any information on Mr Cafferkey is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police.