Michael Mosley's family sent heartbreaking message by man whose father disappeared five years ago

The family of television doctor Michael Mosley, who vanished on the Greek island of Symi earlier this week, have received an emotional message from Gary Tossell, whose father disappeared on a different Greek island in 2019. The search for Dr Mosley entered its fourth day today.

Dr Mosley's four children have joined their mother on Symi, aiding her and her friends in the ongoing search efforts. Sniffer dogs, divers and police officers are all part of the current quest to locate the missing presenter, according to Mirror reports.

Gary Tossell's father, John, vanished on the Greek island of Zakynthos in 2019, and he has advised the Mosley family not to lose hope. Speaking to Sky News, Gary drew parallels between the two cases.

"When I read the story, it's like a cut and paste of my father," he told Sky News. "It's the same story but a different person."

He expressed his deep empathy with the Mosley family, saying that he understands exactly what they must be enduring at this time, and advised them not to give up, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Despite it being nearly half a decade since Mr Tossell's disappearance, he has yet to be found. At the time of his vanishing, a five-day search was conducted by local police, and a separate operation was set up by the Western Beacons Mountain Rescue team.

The second search effort for Mosley was made possible after his daughter, Katy, successfully raised £7,000 through a fundraising initiative. Greek authorities are persisting in their search, now focusing on the areas of Pedi and Gialos.

Symi Mayor Lefterios Papakalodoukas has confirmed the shift in the investigation, noting that maritime searches have ceased and attention is now on a 1.25-mile coastal stretch near these towns. Speaking to The Mirror, Lefterios said: "They have not yet found anything - it is a mystery, this disappearance."

"The police of Symi, the Coast Guard and forces from Athens, including police and criminal investigators, are working non-stop and will be working non-stop till they find any clue."

"I very much doubt there is a criminal aspect in this case. At least as far the local community is concerned. I very much doubt that any of the inhabitants of the island has acted in that way."

"I do believe however, the elder man walking on his own without a phone in an unknown island and 35C of heat could lead to many conclusions. He could have had unknown health issues triggered by the heat and he could've wandered through unknown paths and had an accident. Had he followed the right path I believe that everything would have been okay."

The mayor's statement was released just hours after the last known sighting of Mosley. CCTV footage, taken 30 minutes after he left to meet his wife, showed him dressed in a dark shirt and cap, with an umbrella slung over his shoulder.