UPDATE: Missing Buckley pensioner has been found ‘safe’

Update: Police have confirmed this morning that a missing pensioner from Buckley has been found safe.

An update on Twitter from North Wales Police states:

‘Good News missing person from #Buckley area David Collins has been found safe – thanks for all your assistance.’

Earlier Report: A huge search effort is being carried out by members of the community as they rally to find a missing pensioner from Buckley.

North Wales Police issued an appeal last night for any sightings of 79-year old David Collins who was last seen at 3pm on Saturday.

Mr Collins is understood to have been walking his dog Oscar, a large ‘labradoodle’ at the time he went missing.

Hundreds of comments have been posted on Facebook pages many giving updates on where searches have taken place during the course of Saturday evening and into the early hours of this morning.

Members of the public were still out at 2.30am on Sunday as the search continued.

Despite the poor weather conditions during the night, members of the community carried out extensive searches in and around Buckley, Alltami, Ewloe Hawarden and as far as Mynydd Isa and Mold.

In a comment on Buckley Residents Group Facebook page, Corrinne said she had seen over 50 people out searching for Mr Collins, she herself had spent five hours looking for the missing pensioner covering around 13 miles.

Police and members of NEWSAR, the North East Wales search and rescue team along with search dogs have been spotted searching across the Buckley area.

Mr Collins niece Slyvia Harvey thanked all those who have helped in the search for her missing uncle, commenting on Facebook she said:

“Thank you everyone who has been out looking for my Uncle David tonight I can’t believe the amount of people we have seen searching there hasn’t been a sighting as yet but we will resume first light.”

Tracy Beach commented:

“I just want to say how amazing Buckley people are, nothing but loyal and the amount of people out searching is fantastic, I’m hoping and praying for a good outcome, I’m so proud to be a Buckley girl.” 

At first light this morning members of the public resumed the search for Mr Collins, he is described as being 5ft 9in tall and is wearing a grey striped beanie hat, a dark blue jacket and dark blue trousers.

Any sightings call police on 101 quoting W174685.