Elderly man vanishes on way home from hospital

POLICE are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of a 71-year-old man who went missing after discharging himself from Rotherham Hospital.

Officers have increased their presence in the Canklow and Moorgate areas in an effort to find Baden Powell in the hope that he is trying to return to his home in Tinsley.

Mr Powell has been missing since around 3pm on Sunday.

He left the hospital having received treatment for injuries sustained in a fall at the Rhinoceros public house on Bridgegate, Rotherham.

A police spokeswoman said: “It is thought at this stage that he either made his way on foot or may have caught a bus out of the area, but no contact has been made with him since.

“He is known to be a walker, so he may have used one of the many paths across Canklow Woods, though initial searches have not found any trace of him.”

Supt Andrew Parker, from Rotherham district, added: “This is not typical behaviour for Baden.

“We are now extremely concerned about his welfare and are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen him or has information about his whereabouts.

“We are obviously keen to know that he is safe and well or what his movements were.”

Baden is described as a white man, about 5ft 8ins tall, with a medium build.

He has grey hair, thinning on top, and a grey and brown beard and as wearing a brown, three-quarter length duffle coat at the time he disappeared.

Anyone with information about Baden’s whereabouts should contact police by dialling 101, quoting reference number KX/802/2012.

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