Yorkshire Dales Lost Wayfarer Appears at Press Conference

An 80-year-old hiker who disappeared for three days in the Yorkshire Dales has spoken at a press conference organized in an attempt to locate him.

Harry Harvey spent three nights in wild camping after parting ways with a group of walkers between Gunnerside and Tan Hill, North Yorkshire, on Saturday.

She was spotted by a wildlife photographer Tuesday morning, who spotted him greeting her near Keld.

Mr. Harvey was about six miles from where he was last seen.

He was then taken by Land Rover to the nearby Tan Hill Inn, where he was reunited with family and friends at the press conference.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Harvey, from Tynemouth in Tyne and Wear, said: “I got pulled apart getting caught in a really strong hail storm, a strong gale of wind.

“By the time I got to my team it was getting really dark so I missed what I would say was a twist. I had a plan B right away, find a safe place to camp, pitch my tent, stay warm and that was what .

“The biggest problem I had was getting to Tynemouth from Keld, because I only had £ 21.05 in my pocket.”

Mr. Harvey said he had “three good nights of wild camping.”

“The place where we separated was absolutely desolate, there was no possibility of pitching a tent, that’s for sure, so I had to find a safe place, which is what I did.”

Mr. Harvey said he never cared because he had “all the equipment and all the training”, adding that he would rather not have the attention that he said “it wasn’t my stage at all.”

The seasoned hiker, who was reported missing Sunday afternoon, said he was able to see search teams but didn’t realize they were looking for him.

His family said that the last three days had been “torture” and that they could not express in words their concern.

“We know he has experience, but not three nights, that’s taking him to the extreme a bit,” they said.

Insp Mark Gee of North Yorkshire Police said: “This is fantastic news. I want to thank all the search volunteers for their time, as well as the rangers, farm owners, farmers and local residents for their help and understanding.

“Thanks also to Tan Hill, who took care of the volunteers and Mr. Harvey’s family.”

Annette Pyrah, the photographer who found it, said she cried when she realized it was Mr. Harvey.

“I was taking pictures of grouse and instead of grouse I found Harry,” he said.

“I walked past Tan Hill with a heavy heart because I knew they hadn’t found him and I thought that after three days they wouldn’t find him. It was quite disturbing to see the police and the sniffer dogs.

“I just looked down at the fall and this gentleman waved at me. I got out of my car and said, ‘Are you Harry? Have you been missing for three days?’ And he said yes. And I started crying. “

Ms. Pyrah said she had a horrible blow to her head where she had fallen into a stream, but other than that she was fit and well.

“I got him help for his head and he called his wife, which was the main thing,” he said.