A Briton who was missing for four days in Italy has been found and reunited with his family after disappearing from hospital.
Kei Hixor, 21, disappeared on July 13 in his mother’s hometown of Cava de Tirreni, near Salerno, while on holiday with his parents and brother.
Concerns arose when it was discovered that the last signal from his Apple watch had located him near the coast.
But his family today shared their message of relief after he was found “tired, hungry and exhausted” in the countryside between Pontecagnano and Bellizzi.
Kei’s cousin Rita Criscuolo wrote in a Facebook post: “He has been found.
“The family would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the way you have supported us, for your participation and the thought of even just sharing the news, you have helped us immensely. Thank you once again’.
Local reports said the young man fell ill on Saturday before being taken to the nearby San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona hospital.
After being examined by paramedics, Kei reportedly left the hospital around 8pm before disappearing on his own without a trace.
The Briton, who was wearing a Nike T-shirt and blue shorts at the time and spoke only English, was not carrying a mobile phone or any documents, according to Italian media.
However, Kei was wearing an Apple Watch and the last signal transmitted from the device located him on the coast of Salerno.
His parents quickly filed a missing person’s report and the local police tried to launch a manhunt for the tourist.
Local media reported yesterday that the search had been extended to surrounding areas and throughout Naples.
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Criscuolo also launched a desperate appeal on Cava de Tirreni’s Facebook page while he was still missing.
The prompt read: “MISSING! My cousin Kei was not home for two days.
“He went to Salerno on Saturday night but didn’t come back.
“He has no phone or documents and only speaks English. He was wearing a gray T-shirt (the one in the photo)”.
She then urged viewers to contact her or Keio’s family or Cava de Tirreni police if they have any information on her cousin’s whereabouts.
Kei’s disappearance came after authorities launched a desperate search for a missing Briton who disappeared in the Sardinian countryside on Saturday.
Michael, 25, was reported missing Sunday afternoon when firefighters and forest rangers launched a frantic search near Luogosanto, his mother, Cristina Pittalis, said in a plea Sunday.
“He’s a very nice boy, you can approach him without fear, please if you see him stop him, talk to him but don’t leave him alone,” Ms Pittalis said.
Michael is believed to have disappeared in Valdicorra at 5.18pm on Saturday after stripping off his belongings.
“He’s confused, thinner than in the photos,” his mother said in her desperate plea for help.
Ms Pittalis has appealed to local residents to help her search as she prepares to travel from England to Sardinia to help with the search.
She said police were alerted to Michael’s disappearance at 1pm on Sunday but now “your help is essential”.
“If you get a chance, please go and help with this [investigation]” she wrote on Facebook.
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“But don’t go alone, blindly… talk to fire brigades or civil protection, offer your support, ask what and how you can help.”
Firefighters and forest rangers are currently ‘doing their best’ to help find Michael.
Michael was one of three people missing in northern Sardinia since Sunday, Italian media reported.
An elderly Italian tourist also disappeared while on holiday in Valledoria and an elderly woman disappeared in Stintino.
The missing tourist in Valledoria has only been identified as a tourist with health problems, spending a holiday in the region.
The tourist in Stintin was identified as Carla Visentin when her family alerted authorities.
She is said to have disappeared from the Cala Lupo area on Sunday.
According to local media, she also has health problems and has difficulty moving.
The authorities have been searching “non-stop” for the three missing people since Sunday evening, La Repubblica newspaper reported.