A 61-year-old man who went missing on Sunday morning after he left his home just before 9am was found safe and unharmed nearly 36 hours later on Monday some 30km from his Westering home.
His stepdaughter, Yvette Ferreira, 44, said Nigel Fitt had left his David Street home on Sunday just before 9am.
He was headed to a church service but after he did not return later that day concerned family members contacted the police and reported him missing. “It was stressful – [Fitt] never misses lunch so we became very concerned when he did not return home,” Ferreira said.
According to Ferreira, her mother, Lynne, 69, received a call at 8.35pm on Monday from a staff member at a restaurant near The Willows to inform her Fitt was there.
“He rocked up at a restaurant on Monday night and that is when my mother received the call,” Ferreira said.
Tonia Elske, manager at the Munkee Bizniz Pub and Grub, which is opposite The Willows, said Fitt had walked into the establishment after 8pm on Monday and asked staff to call the police.
“[Fitt] looked a bit confused . . . we were quite puzzled as to why he wanted us to call the police. He did not appear to have been attacked or anything,” Elske said.
After another staff member asked Fitt if he knew a number of someone to call, he then handed over his wife’s business card.
“I gave him some coffee and a sandwich because he said he hadn’t eaten since the day before,” Elske said.
Fitt told her that he had walked from Westering through Walmer and Summerstrand before reaching Munkee Bizniz.
Elske said Fitt had told her that he had spent the night in the bushes near Pine Lodge in Marine Drive.
“He is lucky he did not get hurt or attacked.”
Ferreira said the family had been elated when they received the call to say Fitt was safe and unharmed.
“He is a gentle soul and very trusting.
“I think it may have been the sun and the heat that made him a bit confused and disorientated.
“We are very happy he is home safely.”
Ferreira said it was the first time such an incident had taken place and that Fitt was an avid walker.
“He loves walking and there is nothing wrong with him,” she said.
Support from the community had been amazing and she thanked Neighbourhood Watch and church groups for actively being involved in trying to find Fitt.
Apart from being exhausted and a bit stiff, Fitt was well, Ferreira said.
“He is very happy to be at home and very apologetic.