A British man who vanished after to flying to Africa on vacation died while overseas, police have confirmed. Michael Costain, 69, had travelled to Gambia from his native Wales in March.

The percussionist from Rhayader in central Wales was speculated to return to the UK on March 20.

Dyfed-Powys Police had mentioned it was believed that Mr Costain had stayed within the Busumbala space of Western Gambia for 48 hours, previous to leaving for Abene Village in Cassamance within the Southern a part of Senegal.

However the drive sadly confirmed immediately that the musician had died.

A press release mentioned: "Sadly, we can confirm that Michael, who was reported as missing from the Rhayader area of Powys, had passed away.

"Michael had travelled to The Gambia on the eighth March and had not returned to the UK as deliberate. Following enquiries made we have now now acquired affirmation that he handed away whereas on vacation. The dying is just not being handled as suspicious."

The musically-minded was part of the Community Arts Rhayader and District (CARAD).

Peter Cox, who was a CARAD trustee, reflected that his friend was someone who "beloved travelling to extraordinary locations".

According to the BBC, Mr Cox mentioned that his buddy died whereas on a bus, noting: "It feels becoming, in a roundabout way, that he would have closed his eyes for the final time having been gazing out of the window watching an thrilling new world open up earlier than him.

"He will be missed by all who knew him."

CARAD posted a tribute to Mr Costain, often known as Mick, on social media, noting his involvement with the group for the reason that Nineteen Nineties.

The tribute mentioned: "Having gone missing two months ago, while on holiday in the Gambia and Senegal, the news is filtering through that Mick died while journeying on a bus. It appears that the driver thought he was sleeping.

"Anyone who knew Mick would do not forget that he beloved travelling to extraordinary locations and it feels becoming, in a roundabout way, that he would have closed his eyes for the final time having been gazing out of the window watching an thrilling new world open up earlier than him.

"Some years after, whereas travelling in Brazil, he labored with Brazilian avenue youngsters and enabled them to beat scales that had been subsequently fabricated into our large copper dragon. On many events he led drumming workshops for us and led parades along with his Samba band. He might be missed by all who knew him."

The Facebook post attracted swathes of glowing comments about the sadly departed drummer, several of which noted his passion for travel.

One commenter, Shirley Jones, said: "RIP Mick doing what you really liked finest, travelling."

Another, Hayley Lloyd, said: "Very unhappy news, RIP Mick however doing what you loved, travelling x".

Joyce Rogers wrote: "So unhappy.He was so attention-grabbing telling me about his travels".