Zooke
17-05-2005, 14:13
I know that a large number of the people on here live in Europe, so maybe one of you will recognize this man.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/4553993.stm
More than 300 calls have been received by a helpline hoping to identify a classical pianist who has been unable to communicate with police or carers.
It has brought new leads in the hunt for the identity of the mystery man, found wandering the streets in Sheerness, Kent, in a soaking wet suit.
He stunned carers by drawing detailed pictures of a grand piano and giving a virtuoso classical piano performance.
But the "Piano Man" has not said a word since police picked him up on 7 April.
Carers said he played classical music "beautifully" for four hours.
His social worker Michael Camp said the man, in his 20s or 30s, is usually very anxious but "comes alive" at the piano.
West Kent NHS and Social Care Trust said it welcomed the "overwhelming" public response.
Sorting through all the information received, including 70 e-mails, would take several days.
"Mr X continues to be cared for by the Trust and there has been no change in his condition," a spokesman said on Tuesday.
The possibility that the Piano Man might be from Sussex is one lead being investigated after a member of the public called police and suggested a name for him.
However, Mr Camp said it may be "something and nothing" and it was possible the man's identity may never be known.
"It's been such a long time," he said.
"If nobody can name this guy then I don't see how we can possibly find out.
"The only other way is if we get expert people working with him who are able to use his music and get his identity."
Orchestras around Europe are being contacted to see if they know the man.
His talent came to light after staff at the Medway Maritime Hospital gave him a pen and paper in the hope he would write his name and instead he drew the piano.
The man shocked staff with a performance of classical music after Mr Camp showed him the piano in the hospital's chapel.
Mr Camp said: "When we took him to the chapel piano it really was amazing."
The man has since written music, which has been verified as genuine.
Several lines of inquiry have been followed, and the hospital brought in interpreters to see if the mystery patient was from Eastern Europe.
He is now being held in a secure mental health unit in north Kent while an assessment is carried out. Mr Camp said he was "extremely distressed" and may have suffered a trauma.
Karen Dorey-Rees, adult mental health manager for the Trust, said the mystery man was very vulnerable.
"He is not talking at all, he is very frightened," she said.
"We are aware that he is a very vulnerable man and we would be putting him in a dangerous situation if we let him go."
She said that the labels had been removed from every item of clothing the man was wearing when he was found on The Broadway in Minster, Sheerness.
The case has drawn comparisons with the 1996 film Shine which depicts the story of acclaimed pianist David Helfgott who suffered a nervous breakdown.
Ms Dorey-Rees was unable to say what music he had played.
"Nobody was skilled enough to recognise the music, they just knew it was classical music and he played very well."
Anyone who has information about The Piano Man is urged to call the National Missing Persons Helpline on 0500 700700 .
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/4553993.stm
More than 300 calls have been received by a helpline hoping to identify a classical pianist who has been unable to communicate with police or carers.
It has brought new leads in the hunt for the identity of the mystery man, found wandering the streets in Sheerness, Kent, in a soaking wet suit.
He stunned carers by drawing detailed pictures of a grand piano and giving a virtuoso classical piano performance.
But the "Piano Man" has not said a word since police picked him up on 7 April.
Carers said he played classical music "beautifully" for four hours.
His social worker Michael Camp said the man, in his 20s or 30s, is usually very anxious but "comes alive" at the piano.
West Kent NHS and Social Care Trust said it welcomed the "overwhelming" public response.
Sorting through all the information received, including 70 e-mails, would take several days.
"Mr X continues to be cared for by the Trust and there has been no change in his condition," a spokesman said on Tuesday.
The possibility that the Piano Man might be from Sussex is one lead being investigated after a member of the public called police and suggested a name for him.
However, Mr Camp said it may be "something and nothing" and it was possible the man's identity may never be known.
"It's been such a long time," he said.
"If nobody can name this guy then I don't see how we can possibly find out.
"The only other way is if we get expert people working with him who are able to use his music and get his identity."
Orchestras around Europe are being contacted to see if they know the man.
His talent came to light after staff at the Medway Maritime Hospital gave him a pen and paper in the hope he would write his name and instead he drew the piano.
The man shocked staff with a performance of classical music after Mr Camp showed him the piano in the hospital's chapel.
Mr Camp said: "When we took him to the chapel piano it really was amazing."
The man has since written music, which has been verified as genuine.
Several lines of inquiry have been followed, and the hospital brought in interpreters to see if the mystery patient was from Eastern Europe.
He is now being held in a secure mental health unit in north Kent while an assessment is carried out. Mr Camp said he was "extremely distressed" and may have suffered a trauma.
Karen Dorey-Rees, adult mental health manager for the Trust, said the mystery man was very vulnerable.
"He is not talking at all, he is very frightened," she said.
"We are aware that he is a very vulnerable man and we would be putting him in a dangerous situation if we let him go."
She said that the labels had been removed from every item of clothing the man was wearing when he was found on The Broadway in Minster, Sheerness.
The case has drawn comparisons with the 1996 film Shine which depicts the story of acclaimed pianist David Helfgott who suffered a nervous breakdown.
Ms Dorey-Rees was unable to say what music he had played.
"Nobody was skilled enough to recognise the music, they just knew it was classical music and he played very well."
Anyone who has information about The Piano Man is urged to call the National Missing Persons Helpline on 0500 700700 .