Wife’s plea to find missing husband from Thomson cruise ship

Ruth Halford has made an emotional plea for help tracing her husband John who went missing on a Mediterranean cruise

John was onboard a Thomson Cruise ship for an idyllic holiday but on April 7th when the ship docked in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, John, 63 was not onboard

His wife Ruth, 45, and their three children are waiting anxiously at home for more news from Interpol, which is conducting the international search.

Mrs Halford said: “As time goes on the feelings are getting worse and worse. We are all very up and down at the moment. I was signed off work for a while and the kids look to me for support. Sometimes it’s getting easier, then something will trigger a memory. It’s the not knowing that’s the worst.”

On April 6 John sent a text to his wife to give her the details of his flight home, but when she was getting ready to pick him up the following day someone phoned her to say he wasn’t on the plane.

She said there are reports from other passengers of him drinking cocktails on his own in one of the bars just before midnight on April 6 and it was between then and disembarkation at around 7am the next day that he disappeared.

Mrs Halford added police had spoken to other passengers who said he was having a good time, with one man from Hertfordshire who had been drinking with him saying his was in a good mood.

His rucksack was found on the bed in his cabin, along with his passport, wallet and mobile phone.

She said: “I think he’s gone overboard. The police have checked all possibilities, there was a swipe card used to get off and on the ship that wasn’t used, so there’s no way he could’ve got off without anyone knowing. If anyone was on board and has information can they please get in touch with the local police and let them know anything.

"If John is reading this, can you please get in touch and let us know you are still alive."

Anyone who was on the cruise with John or knows where he might be should contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.