Thanks everyone, for the thoughts and advice.
He struck out on Thursday morning with sandwiches and a flask, and while crossing a field appears to have had what the police are calling a 'medical episode'. He wasn't injured or bleeding or lost in the woods. Perhaps a heart attack or stroke.
As someone pointed out, he was doing something he loved. He didn't lose his mind or waste away with illness. It was, hopefully, quick. It was a beautiful day in the Cotswolds, and he had been looking forward to it.
He would, however, be embarrassed to see the extent of the search parties. And so he might concede that he should have told his partner where he was going, when he would return, and switched his bloody phone on (which was last clocked on Tuesday in the supermarket near his flat).
We were very impressed with the police and search teams, who were kind and calm. And we're amazed at the randoms who just turned up to help. People were seeing posts on message boards, donning their boots and going out after dark to join the search effort. It's humbling.
I'm just glad the emergency services found him, and not one of us. It's hard to describe the abject dread of desperately searching for a loved one in that situation, where successfully finding them would be so awful.
Give your family a hug today. x
Sorry to hear of your loss. And glad he was found so quickly.
As you say as trite as it sounds I'd much rather exit in a similar manner.
I'm so sorry to hear this, but what a way to go, out for a walk on a lovely day. Take comfort in that - far better than in a bed surrounded by machines and covered in wires.
Having been involved in a missing person search a few years ago, the resources involved are humbling and its sad when the outcome is the loss of a loved one. As you say, good to be out doing what you love at the time though. Best wishes to all.
As someone pointed out, he was doing something he loved. He didn’t lose his mind or waste away with illness. It was, hopefully, quick. It was a beautiful day in the Cotswolds, and he had been looking forward to it.
Firstly, deepest sympathies. I had been going to post something along the lines of "he died doing something he loved" however thought it might be too soon, or not right for someone I've never met. However good to see your comment. It's a small thing, but at least you have the knowledge that at the end he was somewhere he loved to be.
Such a sad time for you and your family. I hope you can continue to find someone me comfort that he was out doing what he loved.
I see a number of people die in a fairly dismal and artificial way; to me this is a good way to go.
So sorry to hear of this and sorry too for the worry your family must have had. As you say a successful find is rarely a pleasant thing.
and switched his bloody phone on
This is a generational thing. My in laws are exactly the same. If there is anything positive to come out of this it would be a good number spend christmas reminding/explaining to our oldies the huge benefits of having their bloody phones turned on to help find them in an emergency. Silent/ no vibrate options are available if peace and quiet are what you're after.
Yep my Mum's as bad, only turns her phone on when she wants to use it. Condolences Doris.
Thanks for posting Doris. My condolences.
Very sorry to hear this Doris.
