Not sure what to do re contact

[newtb]

Met someone about a month ago on an old site. We were getting on really well. Lots of conversations some light-hearted some a lot more serious. Quite a spark was growing between us. We're the same age, mid 60s.
We live just over 100miles apart.
Anyway, about 2 weeks ago, all went silent. We'd moved to phone calls/SMS from the site.
By chance I was arranging to view a house for sale not far from him. He'd asked if he could go, too. Bit surprised, but said it was ok.
He had some work meetings that clashed and asked me if I could change it. All ok.

I suddenly had a message at 5am one morning saying several times how sorry he was for the silence. One of his 2 sisters, 80 next month, had had a massive stroke, unconscious, and hovering between life and death, and he'd dashed off 600 miles away to Gap where she's in hospital.
I've had several messages since, hé was going to return home and go back for the eventual funeral, but has stayed put. His extended family are there.

Fingers crossed that this could possibly turn out to be something good.

Obviously, this is a really difficult time for him, and he's due a second hip remplacement in October.

Not ott in view of our conversations, I've said if I can help, not to hesitate to ask.

How would you play it?

Give him some space and let him get back in touch when he's ready, assuming you believe he's telling the truth of course

I think you’ve said the right thing, offered help. You can’t do any more and tbh ( as long as it’s all true because OLD means you can say anything, apparently) his family need him more than you do at the minute. Hopefully he’ll be back in touch when things settle down.

Thanks for the replies, match what I'm thinking. He's who he says he is, unless he's stolen someone's identity. He's got talks on Facebook and youtube about leaky gut syndrome and micronutrition.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Makes a change from messages telling me they're masturbating while talking to me and asking/offering nude pics. Nice to come across someone with a brain !

Had another message full of 'desolé' unable to talk, 'en famille' apparently been NC for years. He's staying there until September. Think I've been taken for a mug.

Maybe, maybe not. Just keep him at arms length, don't make any plans around him. How long are you willing to wait to see if he's coming back?

Update - took a chance Friday night and rang him. He got back Thursday night, said he was tired. Tried ringing Sunday and the call went to answerphone. When that's happened before he's rung back. He hasn't. It would appear I've been ghosted/blocked. Bastard !!

He was going to help me sort out my thyroid, too.

On a positive note, he had a voice like a constipated crow, so maybe not much of a loss!!

I wouldn’t write him off just yet, OP. After his sister’s death and dealing with his NC family, he may be physically and emotionally wiped out, drained, in need of some long sleeps and quiet time before he can be a enjoyable companion again.

I hope it works out well.

Stop chasing him. Pls don't ring him anymore. He knows where you are and how to contact you. Get back on the dating sites and what and see what happens.

It's only a month since his sister died, and he will most likely be needing some space. I know that some people can find it difficult to communicate with 'outsiders' after a big loss like that.
My suggestion would be to either drop him a text saying you hope he's ok, and that you're thinking of him, and then leave it - or - just wait and see what happens. No more phone calls though as he might not feel ready to chat to anyone.

Join the thyroid group on Facebook they will do the same thing and fix your thyroid with no silly behaviour

Got back the day before you called him? My eye he did

You seem overly invested in someone you haven't met and have only been talking to for a month. If he's telling the truth, he's been through a very difficult time and therefore you are not going to be high on his priorities.