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AIBU?

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Original poster

DH has disappeared and left son at a festival

945 replies

dogletsrock · 27/07/2019 00:04

My DH is a recovering alcoholic and has seemed to be doing really well. He took my 15 year old son to a festival today at the other end of the country. At about 7pm he told my son he was going to the toilet and has not been heard of since. My son has Aspergers and is in the tent really scared. I cannot get there until 11 o’clock tomorrow as they have the car and I will have to get a train. On one hand I am beyond angry but also terrified as he has tried to kill himself when drunk before. I am beside myself with worry. What can I do?

OP posts:
Original poster
dogletsrock · 27/07/2019 00:12

He’s at the why not festival in Derbyshire. I will try and find out about the Samaritans. I think he doesn’t want to leave the tent

OP posts:
threeboysandus · 27/07/2019 00:13

Wow how worrying for you. Did your son say if your husband had been drinking before going missing? I agree with others, I would 100% call police.

Janleverton · 27/07/2019 00:13

Police. Definitely. Your son is vulnerable and it sounds like your dh is too.

MyNameIsAlexDrake · 27/07/2019 00:14

Definitely call police on 999. They will quickly be able to put a call through to local police. You're son needs help now he must be worried sick,

converseandjeans · 27/07/2019 00:14

Yes call police who will be able to in the first instance get hold of organisers & they can go and find your son.
They should have welfare people about & yes DH sounds like he may need help too.
Keeping fingers crossed you get sorted.

Original poster
dogletsrock · 27/07/2019 00:14

I am going to try and ring the festival

OP posts:
silvercuckoo · 27/07/2019 00:14

Is it Womad?

Chune · 27/07/2019 00:14

You must be so worried, but you know your son is safe, and in all likelihood, your husband is too, albeit maybe drunk.

Ring the police, and ask for their advice, and reassure your son that all will be okay.

I hope this is resolved for you both soon Flowers

Christmassaussage · 27/07/2019 00:14

How old is your son? How worrying for you. I hope hubby turns up and is ok xx

EatsFartsAndLeaves · 27/07/2019 00:15

Call police, the festival will have welfare people of some sort who can help with this sort of thing. They'll be available 24 hours, if your son can find anyone with a site radio they should be able to contact either police or the safety /welfare team via their own "control" or team leaders.

MrsAJ27 · 27/07/2019 00:15

You really need 2 call the police.. hope you and your family will be ok

Snoopdogsbitch · 27/07/2019 00:15

OP you poor thing. This is awful. I do hope your DH is okay, but your priority is making sure your son is okay. Keep talking to him and gently suggest he passes the phone to security so you can talk to them and get him taken care of. Hopefully the Samaritans are there ( wonderful people sleepingStar) but there will be welfare definitely.

Breathe, stay as calm as you can, you'll get there tomorrow and somehow it'll be sorted. Flowers

Schmoozer · 27/07/2019 00:16

ynotfestival.com/information/safety/

Says there is police on site constantly and a welfare team on site who prioritise welfare for under 16’s
Ring police they will be able to contact police directly there

SleepingStandingUp · 27/07/2019 00:16

I'm trying to find out where they are too, but obviosuyl the ones working aren't in FB. Normally along the r{ow of shops I think, and definately well lit, they should be 24/7

See if u can get him to be step out the tent and look to see what he can see. Security, Sam's, Welfare, First Aid - any of those

Bunnybigears · 27/07/2019 00:16

Would your son be able to walk to the first aid tent or security tent with you on the phone and let someone there talk to you to come up with a plan. I'm sure they would want to know there was an unaccompanied 15 year old on site.

Cocolapew · 27/07/2019 00:17

Definitely police, I hope it works out ok

bushes · 27/07/2019 00:17

Police.

Snoopdogsbitch · 27/07/2019 00:19

Sorry, just seen he doesn't want to leave the tent ( son with ASD so I get it). PPs are right, the festival will be able to get someone to him. Get as clear directions as you can for where his tent is.

oknowimscared · 27/07/2019 00:19

Don’t mess around or feel bad about “using resources”. The resources are there to be used. Call 999.

Original poster
dogletsrock · 27/07/2019 00:19

Can’t seem to find an out of hours number for the festival so am going to ring 111. I don’t know anyone who could take me as they all have kids.

OP posts:
funnylittlefloozie · 27/07/2019 00:19

Ring the police! This is what they are there for.

MsJaneAusten · 27/07/2019 00:20

Oh how worrying for you. I would also recommend calling the police. You’re not overreacting. Your poor son.

MitziK · 27/07/2019 00:20

The Welfare/Security crew will go and find him and help him if you call them (there should be an emergency contact number on the festival website - if not, call the police. Because your child being abandoned and vulnerable is an urgent welfare matter - they will be able to get in touch with the Head of Security). They work 24 hours a day at festivals.

Your son, that is.

Drunken cunts who abandon their children at festivals aren't their problem. Well, not unless they pass out and somebody fetches them.

Hopefully, once he remembers that there is a scared child somewhere in a field, he'll be too ashamed of his selfishness to come back.

Fucking prick.

MyNameIsAlexDrake · 27/07/2019 00:21

Please ring 999 say you need police then explain the situation to the operator. They then make the decision about the priority of the call from there. Your son is vulnerable, on his own, scared for his dad. Please just call.

nespressowoo · 27/07/2019 00:22

Your poor son Sad I hope he's ok, OP.