Found Deceased Scotland - John 'Frank' Smith, 84, on mountain climb, Argyll & Bute, 5 Aug 2021

[MsMiniSleuth]

A search has resumed for a missing 84-year-old hill walker who disappeared three days ago.

John Smith known as ‘Frank’, who is an experienced walker, set off on a trip to Ben Cruachan in Argyll and Bute on Thursday.

He headed out alone from the Crianlarich Hotel at 7.15am but was not believed to have been carrying a tent.

His grey Mazda 6 estate car has since been located in a parking area frequently used by walkers to access Ben Cruachan.

Searches have been ongoing in the area on Sunday with the assistance of the Police Scotland Mountain Rescue Team.

His daughter Helen Bang has posted online that he has a mobile phone with him but has not responded to calls.

She has told STV News that he is fit for his age and a seasoned walker and climber who loves the Highlands.

However, she said: “We tried to dissuade him. Although he is very fit and regularly does 12-mile walks around (his home area) Nottingham, the mountains here are very challenging and he’d had difficulties when fell walking with my brother three years ago and had to be walked off the mountain by the mountain rescue people as he was so tired.

“My brother and sister had also tried to talk him out of it, to no avail.

“He was supposed to check in with us each day after his walks. Apart from a very brief phone call to say he’d arrived at Crianlarich on Tuesday we’ve had radio silence since.”

The Oban mountain rescue team has resumed a search of the 1126-metre high peak.

Inspector Emma Louise Scott of Dumbarton Police Station said: “We are growing increasingly concerned for Frank and considerable effort is being put into locating him by police and partner agencies.

“I would urge anyone who believes they have seen Frank or spoken to him at the any time since Thursday morning to get in touch urgently.

“I would also ask any other walkers in the area to be vigilant and if you believe you have any information which could help with the search then please come forward.

“Anyone who may have seen Frank, or who has any information on his whereabouts, is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0922 of August 7.”

Daughter’s plea as search for 84-year-old hill walker continues

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Police Division

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[MsMiniSleuth]

Search and rescue teams are scouring one of the UK’s highest peaks for an 84-year-old walker from Nottingham who has not returned from a trip up the mountain in Scotland.

John Smith, known as Frank, is an experienced fellwalker who has walked on the 1,126-metre (3,694ft) Ben Cruachan in Argyll and Bute several times before, according to his family.

He was last seen leaving the Crianlarich hotel at 7.15am on Thursday 5 August and his car has since been found in a parking area frequently used by walkers to access Ben Cruachan.

Smith’s daughter, Helen Bang, said she saw her father for the first time in 17 months when he visited her last week before he set off for some fell-walking in the Scottish Highlands.

Search under way for missing 84-year-old in Scottish mountains

 

[StillDiggin]

RIP John, thoughts to your family & friends.
Around 2.50pm on Tuesday, 10 August, the body of missing man John Smith (known as Frank) was recovered near the summit of Ben Cruachan.

His family are aware and there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

We would like to thank the local community for their assistance during the investigation and to everyone who shared our post.


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[MsMiniSleuth]

The devastated daughter of an elderly hillwalker who went missing in the Scots highlands has announced he died 'with his boots on' and that she will 'miss him forever'.

But in a tragic social media post early this morning she announced that John's body had been recovered on Ben Cruachan and that he had died 'walking somewhere he loved'.

The heartbreaking post included a picture of John and his late wife Rosemary.

It read: "My Dad's body was recovered from Ben Cruachan yesterday afternoon.

"He died with his boots on, walking somewhere that he loved. People must do things that bring them joy.

"I will miss him forever, but feel very lucky that he was my Dad.

"We are very grateful for all the kind messages from friends and strangers. If any one wants to make a donation, however small, in memory of Frank Smith to Oban Mountain Rescue, who made Herculean efforts to find him, that would be much appreciated."

Daughter's tribute as body recovered in search for OAP hillwalker John Smith

 

[StillDiggin]

Daughter's tribute as body recovered in search for OAP hillwalker John Smith

 

[Quill]

Having been to this area of Scotland and seeing its beauty first hand, I can imagine why and 84 year old native Scot would be hard pressed to quit his hill walking. It mad a lasting impression on me that I will carry in my heart forever. My mother just turned 84 last weekend and so many things of her joy in life have had to end. From this perspective, I can honestly say that as sad as this is, I hope the family can continue to find peace in his passing in such a beautiful place that was so powerful in his life.