Durban pilot found alive after two-day nightmare search

Durban pilot Slade Thomas has been found alive and well, after he was reported missing over the weekend.

A R50 000 reward had been offered for information leading to his safe return

Thomas is the former CEO of Durban’s Starlite Aviation Group and was involved in the 1991 rescue of the MTS Oceanos cruise ship that sank near Coffee Bay. He was awarded the  Air Force Cross for his role in the operation.

DURBAN PILOT FOUND AFTER TWO-DAY SEARCH

In a social media update, authorities revealed that the Durban pilot, who had been reported missing on Saturday, 5 September, had been found.

Brad Nathanson Investigators shared: “Slade Thomas has been found 🚨 Alive, stable and coherent and is with the NHW support team. Medical assistance is en route to assess, along with family members. You may stop searching and posting”

Thomas had been found near his home in Hunters Way in Umgeni Park.

Over the weekend, a missing-person case was opened, and a reward of R50 000 was offered for his safe return.

The search had extended to the Umgeni River, beaches, and local parks, including the use of a thermal drone.

No other details relating to his discovery were made public.

MENTAL ILLNESS

According to Brad Nathanson Investigators, Slade Thomas, a former Durban helicopter pilot in the South African Air Force (SAAF), had suffered from Alzheimer’s in recent years.

Family spokesperson Greg Parry told the media that said Thomas had also been living with mental illness and depression

Parry stated that Thomas’s disappearance was out of character, which had sparked concerns for his safety and well-being.

He told The Witness: “We are profoundly grateful to the many people, community members and security teams who have given up hours of their time to search for Slade and support our family.

“Their kindness, compassion and determination have meant more to us than we can express”.