Members of the public are due to gather in Sandown tomorrow (Wednesday) as a last resort in the search for missing 71-year-old Michael Davies, who remains missing without trace since disappearing from a hotel in Sandown some 14 days ago.
A Facebook page named ‘Help Find Michael Davies‘ was set up just 24 hours ago but has already welcomed over 500 1100 supporters. The page was created by Ryde resident Jack Brett after seeing the public’s upset that Michael is still missing.
Michael was visiting the Isle of Wight with his wife on Tuesday 26th May but walked out of the Hotel Maria at around midnight. He was caught on CCTV just around the corner on Avenue Road, but has not been seen or heard from since. No leads have been established.
Following a Police search that failed to locate Michael, locals are due to gather at Fort Street Car Park in Sandown at 17:30 to conduct their own search within a 1-2 mile radius of the Avenue Road area, where Mr Davies was last seen on CCTV heading West.
Hampshire Constabulary have come under fire from Islanders who say not enough was done in the vital first 24 to 48 hours from when Michael went missing. A Police helicopter did not search the area until 18:00 despite the disappearance having been reported early that morning and Lowland Rescue were not deployed until 17:00 that evening.
The weather is anticipated to be hot and dry for the public-led search.
The family of Mr Davies, who comes from Blaina in Wales, say it means so much to them.
