Missing Brit Ben Ross found alive in Majorca following ‘series of unfortunate events’ | World | News
Missing British man Ben Ross has been found alive after vanishing in Majorca more than a week ago.
The trainee barrister disappeared from the island’s capital Palma where he has been living on July 10, sparking a desperate search.
His mother Felix Robinson, who had flown out to find him, said: ”I’m so incredibly grateful for all the help and support we’ve received. Everyone has been truly incredible.
“We are so relieved to have found him and are now focused on getting him back to full health and home safe and well.”
Ben, 26, moved to the popular Spanish holiday hotspot in June for a break from his studies, but lost contact with his mother after a “series of unfortunate events”, according to a press release update shared by family friend Carla Speight.
Felix said the last contact she had with him was a “peculiar” email indicating his mental health declined after having a bag carrying his ID, phone, wallet, iPad and keys, stolen at the beach.
Speight said Ben reported had reported the theft at a local police station, leaving several hours later to head home.
“After becoming lost, due to only staying on the island for a matter of weeks, he eventually found the apartment in the late hours of that day,” Speight said.
“Despite knocking, his flatmates didn’t let him in and in a distressed state, Ben broke the lock to gain entry. The following days with his flatmates were tough as tensions about the broken door developed, despite his promising to pay for the damages caused under the extenuating circumstances.”
Ben had gone out to arrange a new phone but wasn’t able to get a new sim and phone without his ID and found himself locked out of his accounts by two-step verification, Speight said.
“Upon returning to the flat, Ben’s mental health had declined and the distress of what was going on caused him to cut communications with his mum,” she explained.
A fundraiser was organised by Speight to support Felix’s search efforts as she headed to Majorca to track him down.
And after 10 heartstopping days, Felix announced that Ben is safe and had arrived at the British Consulate in Palma “drained but alive”.
Felix said the family are now focussed on getting Ben “back to full health”.
”I’m so incredibly grateful for all the help and support we’ve received,” she continued.” Everyone has been truly incredible. We are so relieved to have found him and are now focussed on getting him back to full health and home safe and well.”
For now, Felix and her family are requesting some privacy whilst they get Ben back to full strength and home, and they want to extend their thanks to the press, media and public for all their support in finding him. They now have the task of arranging an emergency passport alongside making sure he is well enough to fly home following treatment for dehydration and exhaustion.
Any donations not used in the search will be given to Andy’s Man Club, a charity supporting men’s mental health, when they return to the UK over the next week.