Fears are growing for the safety of a British woman who has vanished along with her dog while travelling home from Spain. Wendy Iles, 68, from Wiltshire, disappeared after her vehicle and passport were reportedly stolen during a road trip back to the United Kingdom from the Costa Blanca.
The grandmother drove a UK-registered Mazda campervan with the registration plate V233 HWA, accompanied by her beloved springer spaniel. She was making her way from Cumbre del Sol, near Javea, towards Caen in northern France to catch a ferry back to Britain. However, she missed her scheduled ferry crossing.
Her family last spoke with her at around 9:00 pm on Sunday, 24th May, when she was in the Alfafar area, situated between the municipalities of Silla, Alfafar and Russafa on the outskirts of Valencia. Relatives noted that she sounded highly confused during the phone call, which was the final contact made before her mobile phone was switched off or went inactive at 9:45 pm that evening.
It is believed that the campervan suffered a tyre blowout on the motorway near Silla shortly before the vehicle, along with her passport and personal belongings, was stolen. Although her daughter, Louise Iles, urged her mother to stay at a nearby hotel while they sorted out the situation with the stolen vehicle, the 68-year-old failed to arrive at the accommodation.
The family is facing an agonising wait for official help. British police have stated they cannot track her bank transactions until her case is classified as high risk, while Spanish police authorities explained they would not launch an active search until 48 hours had elapsed since her disappearance.
An Interpol reference number has now been secured, and the family is desperately appealing to the public and the local expat community for any sightings of Wendy or her spaniel. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the UK police immediately using the reference number 442/25052026.
