The body of a British man has been found by residents four days after he went missing during a nature walk in Jamaica.
Robert Dyer, 60, a diabetic, who arrived on the Caribbean island last Friday, was reportedly found unconscious in a vegetated area by a search party on Thursday, in the Ballard’s Valley area of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.
The grandfather and cancer survivor had been without essential medications for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure for days since taking the nature walk alone in Ballards Valley on Sunday morning, two days into his retreat.
Mr Dyer, from Lewisham, had been there to visit his brother and family.
According to Jamaica Observer Online, he last communicated with family members around 1pm on Monday to say he was lost.
A source close to the family said Dyer’s walking stick was found around 2am on Thursday and his body was found later in the day.
Robert Dyer, 60, a diabetic, who arrived on the Caribbean island last Friday, was reportedly found unconscious in a vegetated area by a search party on Thursday, in the Ballard’s Valley area of St Elizabeth, Jamaica
According to Jamaica Observer Online, the grandfather (seen on the left) last communicated with family members around 1pm on Monday to say he was lost.
“The people found his walking stick and decided to leave early on Thursday to continue the search,” the source said. They added that his body “was found close to Bull Savannah, so it appears he took a wrong turn.”
A local community spokesperson confirmed that a body has been found and that police will investigate the circumstances of his death.
“After an extensive search involving many members of the community, we located a body that was in an unresponsive state.
“The police have been informed and may provide a statement later,” the spokesperson said.
On Tuesday, Acting Chief Inspector Coleridge Minto said civilians from Ballards Valley, the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) Airway and the canine unit were assisting in the search.
It is believed that 250 residents have joined the search.
“We have already covered miles of terrain and the search is still ongoing as we continue our efforts to locate this individual,” he said.
Minto said on Wednesday that dozens of police personnel were part of a search team.
He said drones were also used in the search.