By Sumeyya Ilanbey
The tearful family of a missing elderly Ballan man are pleading with their father to come home.
There are growing concerns for the safety of 88-year-old Albert Smith who left an aged care facility on Inglis Street, Ballan Monday morning.
Daughter Wendy told reporters her dad was “fiercely independent” and unhappy about being in care. She said he told staff he was going home, but has not been heard from since.
Mr Smith is known to hitch-hike and police believe he may be travelling to Mount Doran or Ballarat.
“We’re really worried about him … he wouldn’t be able to last very long without his medication,” Wendy said.
“He’s got quite severe back injuries and is on all sorts of heart medication, so we’re really concerned at this stage.
“Dad was very determined to get home. We were putting plans in place to get him home.”
Mr Smith doesn’t have a mobile phone, and the family believe he would be struggling to walk by now.
“I would imagine he’d be quite anxious and confused, and in a lot of pain … if anyone sees an elderly man, sitting somewhere in a lot of pain, that’s highly likely dad,” Wendy said.
Police have released an image of Mr Smith and are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to call Ballan police on 5368 1303.
