IRT has joined the appeal to help find missing 77-year-old man Raymond Speechley.
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Mr Speechley climbed two fences to leave an IRT retirement village at Dalmeny on the Far South Coast last Thursday, according to the aged care provider.
Police suspect he may have tried to get a lift with a passing motorist to Wollongong.
Mr Speechley had worked in the area as a boilermaker and professional fisherman, and played local competitive rugby.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of medium build with grey hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing jeans and a dark jacket with a pyjama top underneath.
"Everyone at IRT is deeply concerned that Mr Speechley has not yet been found,’’ CEO IRT Care Craig Hamer said.
"We join police in asking members of the Wollongong public to remain vigilant and report any potential sightings of Mr Speechley to local police on 4472 0099 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
"Ray is a much-loved husband, father and grandfather and we continue to hope and pray for his safe return," Mr Hamer said.
Police were alerted after he left the home and couldn’t be located or contacted.
The disappearance prompted an extensive land of air search of the area, carried out by members of the Volunteer Rescue Association, State Emergency Service, Rural Fire Service and Westpac Lifesaver helicopter.
“Serious concerns are held for Mr Speechley’s welfare due to a medical condition and the inclement weather in the area,” police said in a statement.
Police have been told a man similar in description to Mr Speechley was seen on the Princes Highway, Dalmeny, shortly after 4pm on Thursday.
A red vehicle was stopped nearby.
Inquiries have also revealed Mr Speechley may have attempted to make the 260km journey from Dalmeny to the Wollongong area.
“Mr Speechly [sic] has ties to the Wollongong area and may have made his way to the area. He is a keen fisherman and may frequent local fishing spots,” a post on the Illawarra Police Rescue Squad’s Facebook page, on Friday night, said.
“Police are appealing for anyone who was travelling north on the Princes Highway through Dalmeny at that time [about 4pm on Thursday] that may have picked up a man fitting the description of Mr Speechley, to contact police,” the NSW Police statement said.
Police also want anyone who may have seen a man fitting Mr Speechley’s description on the Princes Highway at Dalmeny to contact Batemans Bay Police Station on 4472 0099 or via Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.