New search for Kirkbymoorside walker missing in Spain (From Gazette & Herald)

New search for walker, Gordon Simm, 63, missing in Spain

11:34am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News

A FRIEND of a Kirkbymoorside photographer and author missing in Spain for more than a month says his disappearance is a “tragic mystery”, as a fresh search is prepared.

Father-of-two Gordon Simm, 63, disappeared at the end of July after setting out on a trek along the Rio Chillar, near the Costa del Sol, while on holiday with his wife, Wendy. A widespread search of the area, including helicopter teams, has failed to find him and has now been wound down.

A Nerja newspaper has now reported volunteers and Mr Simm’s friends and family are now organising a new search, which will begin next month.

Publisher and author Jacquetta Megarry, who collaborated with Mr Simm on two guidebooks about the Hadrian’s Wall Path and the Cleveland Way which featured his photographs on their front covers, said: “He was an extremely fit, well-prepared and resourceful hiker, as I know from direct experience of trying to keep up with him.

“His recent disappearance while hiking near Nerja is a tragic mystery. Some extreme accident or medical emergency must have overtaken him. His family’s sense of loss must be truly terrible.”

She said Mr Simm had “enormous patience and skill with his camera”, and said: “His bird photography was exceptional, the fruit of long hours spent in hides, tramping on his home moorland and hiking abroad.

“His knowledge of birdsong and bird behaviour is what set his portfolio apart. Gordon was a great guy, a brilliant photographer, a loyal family man and a wonderful collaborator.”