A MISSING pensioner has now been found nearly 48 hours after he vanished during a night out in the Costa del Sol resort of Puerto Banus.
Clifford Wildgoose, 76, hadn’t been seen since around 2am on Saturday at Patrick’s 19th Hole Bar in Puerto Banus near Marbella.
But an American tourist recognised him last night, just before 10.30pm local time, from his family’s social media appeals at a supermarket there and phoned his daughter.
Daughter of the Brit pensioner, Melanie Hall, said: “To say I’m delighted is an understatement.
“I got straight on the phone to police and they went to pick him up and have taken him to hospital.”
She had previously said she was “beside herself with worry” after he vanished during a Costa del Sol holiday.
His wife, Joanne, and some other relatives had just touched down in Spain.
Clifford was also due to catch a flight to Manchester this morning with a friend who had joined him on holiday, but missed it.
But worried daughter Melanie Hall said there was no sign of him at Malaga Airport.
Melanie added: “My dad is unwell and he was dehydrated when he was found and we’re not sure where he’s been sleeping because he apparently looks very tired.
“But the important thing is he’s been found and he’s now safe.”
His family had been growing increasingly concerned for his safety.
“It’s just amazing that an American tourist of all people has recognised my dad the way he did,” she added.
“He was with his family and thought it could be him and it was – I can’t thank him and all the other people who have helped enough.”
A bank card he was carrying had been used several times but it wasn’t clear if it had been used by him or someone else.
His daughter said amid their search for him: “We’re all extremely worried. I was going to travel to Spain this morning but we’ve been advised to hang on for the moment.
“The gate has just closed for the flight he was due to board to get back home and his friends are at the airport and there’s no sign of him and they’ve had no contact with him.”
Melanie added that a transaction had gone through on his card for £7 at a supermarket about five minutes from where he had last been seen.
“At the moment we don’t know if it’s my dad making those purchases or someone who’s got hold of his wallet and something bad’s happened to him,” she said.
“The friend my dad was with said he just vanished, that he was stood at the bar one minute and gone the next.
“He’s not that steady on his feet because he’s had a knee replacement and he was having some other health issues.”
The retired property developer who is originally from Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside, Greater Manchester, but now living in Whitby in North Yorkshire, had only flown to Spain for the weekend.
Melanie, one of the pensioner’s five daughters, added that had left his phone and passport in his friend’s apartment in La Cala de Mijas.
But he wouldn’t know the flat’s address as he’d never been before.
“Everyone loves my dad,” Melanie said.
“He’s a chatty, friendly kind man and very well-known in Marsden near Huddersfield where all his friends live and he used to live.
“He’s very well-travelled. He’s been a businessman all his life.
“Yorkshire Police have been really helpful and I know his friend has spoken to Spanish police.
“He’s told them about the transactions on the card and they say they’re dealing with it. I’ve tried ringing the hospitals.”
Clifford’s disappearance was initially flagged by his family on social media.
Melanie had posted that her father “wasn’t feeling well” when he vanished.
She wrote: “Missing person last seen at Patrick’s 19th Hole Bar in Puerto Banus. He’s 76 from the UK and he’s called Clifford Wildgoose.
“Family are extremely worried and police have been informed. Any information please message.”
And in a subsequent message, she said: “He’s due to fly home tomorrow.
“He has no phone and no-one has seen or heard from him. Family are worried sick. Please contact if any info.”
One well-wisher replied: “Melanie, my thoughts are with you. Shared. Praying he turns up.”