Missing man found barefoot in the street

Jul 26 2010 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

A MAN who went missing for 48 hours was found wandering barefoot near Paisley Town Centre.

Martin McCabe was still wearing his two hospital gowns and blue trousers when a shocked woman saw the 48-year-old walking down the middle of Causeyside Street close to Canal Station.

She immediately alerted the police who minutes later found him heading towards the nearby cycle path.

It’s understood he had been sleeping rough and was “in a state”.

He was taken to Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital for a medical check-up.

Hours earlier police divers had been preparing to search the fast-flowing River Cart at The Hammills fearing he had jumped in.

Mr McCabe from Elderslie, was last seen outside the Watermill Hotel at Lonend around 9pm on Wedneday.

It’s believed he managed to jump out of an ambulance when it stopped at traffic lights.

The vehicle had been taking him from the RAH to another complex when he disappeared.

Hours later a major search for Mr McCabe – who has mental health problems and is on medication – was launched.

Over a couple of days police scanned the edge of the White Cart and wooded areas along the cycle path, the grounds of the RAH and the golf course at Elderslie.

There was a dramatic appeal from the police to the public in the hope he would be spotted.

A police spokesman said: “Mr McCabe was found on Friday morning in the Causeyside Street area of Paisley.

“A woman saw him walking down the middle of the street and she alerted the police.

“He is okay and was taken to hospital for a medical check.”