80-year-old missing hiker feared dead turns up at press conference held to help find him

An 80-year-old hiker who went missing in the Yorkshire Dales for three days was reunited with his family at a police press conference called to publicise his disappearance.  

Harry Harvey was on a group-organised walk in Upper Swaledale in North Yorkshire on Saturday when he disappeared.

Police officers, mountain rescue volunteers and an RAF search and rescue team scoured the area but could find no sign of him. More than 100 people were involved at one point, as well as several specialist dogs.

However, just as his family was preparing to speak to the media at a nearby pub to appeal of the public’s help in finding Mr Harvey, the octogenarian arrived in the car park to the delight of his relatives.  

Videos of the moment show the white-haired Mr Harvey being guided by police officers towards the Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in Britain, before being embraced by his tearful family as they realise who it is.  

Apart from a bump on his head which was covered with a white bandage, Mr Harvey was reported to be well despite spending three nights out alone on the Dales.  

“This is fantastic news that Harry has been found safe and well,” said Inspector Mark Gee from North Yorkshire Police.

"I want to thank all the search volunteers for their time, as well as gamekeepers, estate owners, farmers and local residents for their help and understanding.

"Thanks also to the Tan Hill, who looked after the volunteers and Mr Harvey's family.”

Earlier, the police had said they were concerned about the 80-year-old’s welfare, despite describing him as a “competent hiker”.

But it has now emerged the resourceful grandfather had brought camping equipment for his trip and had spent the two nights under canvas out in the hills.  

A police spokesperson said the retired shipyard worker had eventually been found by a wildlife photographer just five miles from the Tan Hill Inn – which had been the base for the rescue teams.  

The photographer had heard appeals to keep an eye out for Mr Harvey and spotted him waving at her near the village of Keld.  

Police then drove him to the pub to be reunited with his grateful family, who had gathered journalists and camera crews for a press conference already.  

Videos shared by the pub on its Facebook page show a slightly bewildered Mr Harvey, still in his walking boots, being interviewed by local media.

The hiker explained he had got caught in a “really heavy hailstorm and howling gale winds” and by the time he had got his rain kit on he had lost touch with the rest of his group and missed a turning.  

Mr Harvey said he lost his glasses and compass and bumped his head when he fell off a bridge while crossing a stream. However he insisted he never felt in danger and his only real problem was a lack of food.

“I was on my own. I was only worried because I have a hell of an appetite and I was running out of food.

“I had three grand days of wild camping. I never felt scared, I had all the right kit, all the right training and I knew what to do.”

At one stage he even saw a helicopter hovering overhead but had no idea it was part of the search team looking for him.  

However, his son Phil said the family’s experience during the four days Mr Harvey was missing had not been so positive: “We didn't experience it the same way he described it. It's been torture.”