DURBAN - A British national who was reported as missing on Sunday evening by Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) is said to have returned to his B&B after he got stuck in a sugar cane field.
“Rusa has been contacted by a friend of Micheal John McCullagh who informs that he has been located by a Zimbabwean couple stuck in a sugar cane field,” Rusa spokesperson Prem Balram said in an update on Sunday evening.
Balram however added that the report had not been confirmed and further details were not yet available.
Balram could not be reached on Monday morning to get an update on McCullagh.
Earlier, Balram had issued a statement asking the public to assist in locating McCullagh, 75, who had been missing since 1am on Sunday.
Balram said McCullagh had arrived in South Africa from the Isle of Man and spent a few days in Johannesburg. On Saturday night he arrived on a local flight and landed at King Shaka International Airport after midnight. He hired a grey Suzuki Swift with registration number JV61ZPGP from Avis Car Rental and headed towards Durban North.
He had not been since then.
“Contact was made telephonically this morning (Sunday) at 9.15am and McCullagh informed a tow truck driver that he was stuck in a sugarcane field in an unknown place after taking a wrong turn during heavy rains. He requested a diet coke to be brought to him during his rescue. The phone disconnected and he has not been heard of since. McCullagh suffers from Parkinson’s disease and is diabetic,” Balram said.
“Cameras have captured the grey Suzuki Swift in the Gateway - Umhlanga area at 2.30am this morning. The rental company confirmed that the vehicle was not fitted with a tracking device. Reaction officers and paramedics are currently searching for Micheal John McCullagh believing that his health may have rapidly deteriorated. The Rusa R44 helicopter will be lifting off shortly to assist in the rescue.”
Daily News