Man missing in Nerja
 

http://mynerja.com/view/news/nerja-m...s-gordon-simm/

This is my cousins husband, he has been missing for 2 weeks now. A huge search operation is being carried out for him but so far no sightings. It could be possible that he may have become disorientated and could be wandering around the area.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Very sad, I first read it in a Frigiliana site I read a while back, they had linked to an "El País" article.
http://ccaa.elpais.com/ccaa/2012/07/...83_819694.html

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Not sure whether the mods will agree with me but I feel that this needs to be in the Spain main forum because not everyone reads Siesta and someone might have some information. I will move it and if the mods disagree they will move it back again, no problem.

Rosemary

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Yes this has made news in one of our local papers (Coastrider) - fingers crossed he can be found.
I walked in this beautiful area last year but people need to be aware of the potential dangers.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

If you use facebook, there is a link here of his wife and family visiting the area, and not really expecting to find him alive.
https://www.facebook.com/clubeliman.frigiliana

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

You never know - the Dutch lady was missing for 18 days last year and they found her alive.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Thanks Rosemary, I feel so helpless and want to help my cousin so thought posting it on here would at least alert anyone who lives in the area. I wasn't sure which to post on Spain or Siesta.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

I live not too far away and have been following the story in the local press. I do hope they find him soon, as a previous poster said a Dutch lady was found alive and well after 18 days last year.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Thanks Lynn, we are all praying that he is going to be found safe and well. My cousin had to return to the UK today and she is besides herself with worry and feels bad about leaving her husband behind. She has said that everyone has been so helpful and kind in Nerja. The search officially ends on Sunday but the local people have assured her that they will continue to search for Gordon.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Dare I enquire for an update?

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Thanks for asking spainrico, sadly though there is no further news. My cousin is home now and trying to get on with her life. She and Gordon have been married 41 years. Gordon is an experienced climber and hill walker has even written a couple of books on the subject. He must have fallen and hurt himself ... or worse :( I will update when I hear any more. I just keep sending Wendy messages of support.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Thanks for the update and I am sorry the news is not good.

I do quite a bit of walking myself but usually with a group as I am hopeless with a map.

I didn't realise he was so experienced which makes it all the more tragic.

Perhaps the only thing we can hope for now is that other people learn from this and take extra care and precautions.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Hopefully he will be found safe and well.

Fresh off the plane northern europeans visiting Spain during summer can very quickly suffer from dehydryation and sunstroke , remember it can even take a fit soldier upto two weeks to fully aclaimatise in extreme climates.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Thanks for your support I will relay this to my cousin :) There is still no sign of Gordon so sad :(

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

First of all, Lionda, sorry for your cousin. It is necessary to make the possible to recover him

I consider an error hiking alone, especially in isolated places of the populations, because go to the mountains is not like going to the park, may have its dangers, and Spain is a country with very rough and abrupt areas. In a isolated area, mainly without traffic and in an accident, a alone person can have serious problems

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

That is something we are all aware of and we are dreading the inevitable news when it finally arrives. We just want the nightmare to end. My cousin is besides herself with worry and whatever the news will be will at least put an end to her worries. Every day we await news and hope to hear something, anything :(

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

I can imagine his poor wife must be at her wit's end, I hope you get some news soon. There was a piece in Sur in English yesterday which said that the search had had to be called off, but a hiker had reported finding some blood in the area where he was thought to be heading for, and tests were to be carried out to try to establish a match, although it could well be animal blood.:fingerscrossed:

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Thanks for telling me that Lynn, I appreciate any information at all as so far we are hearing nothing. The odds are that Gordon has had a terrible accident and won't now be found alive, but to not even have a body, that is what is so upsetting. They almost didn't go on the holiday as my cousin had a fall and broke a rib but her doctor gave her the all clear to go and said the rest would do her good. Ironic!

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Lionda

what I imagined, Gordon liked hiking (mostly mountain) and liked to go alone, right? I found this. It is a Dutchman who is tour guide and lives in the area, and warned to your cousin not to travel alone to mountain Almijara

http://www.laopiniondemalaga.es/axar...do/523487.html

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Lampy, gracias por tu valiosa aportación.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Always you tell me " lampy "...what is " lampy "?

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Thanks for the link, I will not send it to my cousin though as it would upset her further. It isn't looking good is it :(

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Michael Tweehuijsen`s advice is right ,dont go hiking alone and always leave details of your intended route with someone. I know Michael personally , like most Dutchmen he`s a nice chap but totally crackers:D

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Lionda, I thought you might be interested to see this (from today's Diario Sur):

http://www.diariosur.es/v/20120823/a...-20120823.html

Local people and members of hiking groups are organising a new search, on a voluntary basis, to try to find Gordon.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

but isnt that the operative word - intended.

it is easy to come off course just slightly and not be found in any search.
with modern communications equipment it can be difficult to get away from modern life, but even the slightest accident can leave you helpless to the elements for so many reasons whilst being so close - yet so far.

my feelings go out to the family whatever the result.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Thanks for posting the link Lynn, it's good to know that Gordon hasn't been forgotten. Wendy told me that Michiel is organising another search in September. She is comforted by that. She is hurting so much and not sleeping but is prepared for the worst. She just wants Gordon found whatever the circumstances.

I have sent the link to Wendy, any news at all is gratefully received.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

The search resumed on Monday, Wendy has flown out to be there when/if Gordon is found but so far no news :(

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

I think it will be bad news, but even so finding him will help towards closure which isnt possible at the moment

Thoughts to the family

kr

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Sadly we are already resigned to that fact :( Wendy needs closure and also she needs to sort out her finances as she is not classed as a widow until a body is found and that in itself is causing her some problems :( She is so distraught and cries herself to sleep every night, she can't get on with anything until she finds out what has happened to Gordon :(

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

So sad that she has been hanging in the air all of this time. Knowing in her head and heart that her husband has died and yet not being able to have a funeral and start the awful process of sorting out her life as a widow.

My heart goes out to her and the family.

Rosemary

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

taking this slightly off course (sri)
I presume that if a body is found that will be the date of death, so there will not be some pettyfogging official trying to stop pension etc from an earlier date and want money back.

It is a sad part of life (and death) that we make plans, insurance, wills etc to ensure our loved ones are going to be alright but then the officials start demanding original of this copy of that.

I remember mentioning it before, and you have raised it here, it is that "null" period which is so difficult. Coping with the loss but not being able to gain access to the monies that are due. It can cause many people alot of hardship at a time when they need to spend that money, pay bills etc.
Surely someone somewhere can come up with a no fuss insurance policy that will pay out in double quick time in cash to ease the situation.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

I do think the GC and Policia have failed miserably with this case , it must be nearly two months before a proper search is being organized , but then again it was very hot to be traipsing around the mountains in July,:thumbdown: , I wonder if more effort would have been made if a child had gone missing ?

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Spanish child ?

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Luckily Wendy has the strong support of her close family but she is battling against current legislation which is making the situation even more distressful for her

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/new...rment_goes_on/

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Must be terrible waiting what for now can only be the inevitable, but as you say at least there will be closure. Terrible situation.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Don't know if this will help at all but the BBC have been in touch with my cousin and a trip has been planned with the BBC to go to Nerja end of November to do some filming for a programme on Missing People and the difficulties that brings. Will be shown on the Inside Out programme Yorkshire region. Do not have date for that yet. I don't know as yet if it will be shown in any other regions. No other searches have been planned :(

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

My cousin is going back to Nerja on Tuesday with the BBC

"Going back to Spain on Tuesday with BBC to film for programme they are doing on difficulties for families of missing people.Contrary to what people may think l am not getting paid ! They are paying for my airfare and accommodation only.This is not something l look forward to l am going to be reliving the worse time of my life.My wish is that Gordon can be found and we can give him the dignity of a funeral and deal with our grief.As it is we cannot move forward when we are in this state of "Limbo"."

Wendy cannot even access Gordons private pension, there is a 7 year wait when a body has not been found. I really hope the tv exposure can bring in some results.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

I really hope you get a result with this. It is an appalling situation to be in and it must be so difficult for all concerned.

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Thank you, my cousin is beside herself with worry and the 7 year rule to access any money is so unfair. Hopefully the Government will look into this and change the rules. The last search, unfortunately, was not a success and Gordon is still out there somewhere :(

Re: Man missing in Nerja
 

Wendy has told me the 'Inside Out' programme which she was featured in will be shown on 7th January on BBC Yorkshire/Lincs region. I don't live in the area so will have to watch on BBC iPlayer. It will just be a 10 min slot in the 30 minute programme but will outline the difficulties of searching the area and the problems faced by not having a death certificate to access finances. Wendy, and others in similar situations, have to wait 7 years if a body is not found. She can't access Gordons pension or savings he set aside for her. Hopefully the Government will look into reducing the 7 year time scale :fingerscrossed: