Missing teacher turns up tired and disoriented

A Southland school teacher missing since Monday morning returned to his home yesterday tired and disoriented but offering no explanation for his four-day disappearance.

Father-of-seven Russell John Bell, 50, arrived back at his Tisbury home on the outskirts of Invercargill at 4.20pm yesterday.

He had left the house about 5am on Monday dressed in pyjamas, Swanndri and gumboots and without cellphone or wallet.

His return ended an anxious time for his family, which had been prepared for the worst.

Police and family members had been searching for Mr Bell all week.

Mr Bell's brother, Ross, said that he and 30 other searchers had exhausted every conceivable option in their search for his missing brother.

He said his brother had been happy but quiet the day before he disappeared.

Senior Constable Dave Loader, of Invercargill police, said Mr Bell just turned up at the house alone and without explanation.

"He appeared to be pretty exhausted," he said.

Police then took him to hospital for medical checks.

If Mr Bell was well enough, he would be interviewed by police today or tomorrow, Mr Loader said.

- NZPA