‘Extremely distressing’: Search for missing grandfather, Ronan Clarke, enters its sixth day

The distressed family of Ronan Clarke are pleading for help to find the missing grandfather after he disappeared from Frankston Hospital almost a week ago.

Melbourne grandfather, Ronan Clarke, has been missing since Tuesday. Picture: Supplied.

The family of a missing grandfather are pleading for help to locate their beloved relative as search efforts enter their sixth day.

Ronan Clarke, 54, vanished from Frankston Hospital in Melbourne’s southeast about 3pm on Tuesday and his family have been unable to locate him since.

Despite having an acquired brain injury and severe epilepsy, Mr Clarke’s family said he was not discharged into the care of a relative or a carer and his family were not notified of his release.

Mr Clarke’s daughter, Cassandra Clarke, said there have been no “major leads” into her father’s whereabouts as she and her family continue to search the surrounding suburbs of Frankston.

“It’s extremely distressing really, as days go by, it’s getting harder and harder to kind of imagine … where he could be,” she told the Herald Sun.

Ronan Clarke was last seen leaving Frankston Hospital on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied.

His family have been unable to locate him since. Picture: Supplied

Ms Clarke said it would “mean the world” to have her father found safe.

“If he could just return home from wherever he was and came back, it would mean everything.”

Ms Clarke said her father left the hospital without his phone and wallet and has not accessed any bank accounts since his disappearance.

Mr Clarke is about 170 cm tall with a slim build, long black hair and has tattoos on his legs and chest.

He was dressed in black clothing, sunglasses and was believed to be barefoot when he left the hospital.

Ms Clarke said Frankston Hospital did apologise following her fathers disappearance, but the hospital maintained that they are not “accountable” and did follow hospital protocols when discharging him.

Mr Clarke left the hospital without his wallet and phone. Picture: Supplied.

His family are continuing to search Frankston and the surrounding suburbs. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Clarke urged anyone who sees Mr Clarke, to not let him out of their sight until emergency services arrive.

She said her father is a “gentle” man and could be in a “confused” state and unaware of who he is.

Mr Clarke was spotted walking past Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre before the weekend.

Anyone who sees Mr Clarke or has information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Frankston Police Station on [phone]

Peninsula Health chief medical officer Shyaman Menon said: “The safety and wellbeing of our patients, clients and staff is of the utmost importance to us.”

“Due to privacy and patient confidentiality we are unable to comment on specific cases.”