A man who sparked a major land and sea search after abandoning a rucksack at Workington's pier says he was not missing. 

David Brannigan, of Wasdale Close, Cockermouth, spent two months living off the land before learning police believed he was at risk.

A search operation involving police, Coastguard, lifeboats, wind farm vessels, divers and search dogs was launched after the rucksack, containing his possessions, was found near the lighthouse on August 31.

But while police used new drone technology to scour hard-to-reach cliff areas, fearing he had gone into the water, Mr Brannigan was  in fact beginning a 61-day trek that took him to Scotland, the Midlands and Wales.

He said he was seeking medical treatment after facing repeated cancelled appointments and lack of progress with consultants locally.

Outdoor survival enthusiast Mr Brannigan, 36, has an unexplained growth on his brain, undiagnosed heart issues and lung problems.

Having become frustrated by a lack of progress with his treatment, he set off to see if he would have more success elsewhere.

Mr Brannigan said: "The NHS round here isn't treating me. I have been to hospital 40-odd times in an ambulance. I've had cardiac events, loss of consciousness. 

"I have had multiple medical staff tell me I should be having angiograms and scans.

"I have had all these tests cancelled and no explanation or follow up."

Mr Brannigan only learned of the police operation to trace him while more than 200 miles away in South Wales, staying on the banks of the River Taff and living off fish, nuts, mushrooms and berries.

He had gone into Newport and, finding somewhere with free internet access, decided to check his emails.

He rang his family, who were on holiday, before visiting a police station to let officers know he was safe.

Mr Brannigan, who is a keen survival skills enthusiast and has had articles published in bushcraft magazines, has previously lived in Cockermouth, Workington and Camerton as well as spending almost two years living off the land in the valleys around Keswick.

During that time, he worked in forestry, tree surgery and mining before ill health forced him to leave his work.

After a spell at his family home in Cockermouth, Mr Brannigan spent three nights camping in woods near Workington shore before the search was launched on August 31.

He had been fishing near the lighthouse at about 4.30am when a car pulled up nearby and two men got out.

Concerned they could pose a threat, Mr Brannigan abandoned the rucksack he had taken to the pier with him, which contained his wallet, phone, a survival knife and clothes, and ran to his camp.

A short time later he packed his remaining belongings and set off on his trip, not returning to the pier in case the men were still there.

He said: "My plan was to leave and get medical attention. These guys spooked me and that's what made me pack up and leave then."

Mr Brannigan set off on foot to Embleton.

Over the weeks that followed, he covered hundreds of miles on foot and hitchhiking.

Suffering symptoms including seizures and blackouts, Mr Brannigan said he received medical treatment in a number of hospitals during his trip, all of which said they would pass on details to doctors in Cumbria so they could arrange follow-up treatment.

It was not under late October when he discovered he was considered missing.

He said: "I went onto the internet and there was my face and the details of the missing person search. There it was.

"I felt very guilty and embarrassed and quite angry when I saw what the police had been saying about me."

Mr Brannigan called his family, who were on holiday in Rome, before going to a police station and explaining the situation to officers.

He said: "I'm into survival skills. I make fire with sticks, purify water, hunt, fish, trap and things like that.

"I have done it all my life. I spent 61 days this time on the road.

"My family said straight away 'there's no way he's gone in the water'."

Spending long periods of time out of contact with loved ones is not uncommon for Mr Brannigan, who has previously spent months living outside not speaking to anyone.

He said: "The police blown something so simple out of all proportion."

After getting the missing person's search called off, Mr Brannigan visited his brother in North Wales before returning to the family home, where he caught up on messages from relatives and friends relieved to know he is okay.

He is keen to speak to Cumbria police to find out the sequence of events at home and explain directly what actually happened.

He also wants to set the record straight for people who saw the police appeals to trace him.

He said: "I wasn't found by anybody. I walked into the police station and said 'Here I am. I'm sorry. I'm okay.'

"I just wanted to go on an adventure and get my health fixed.

"If someone's missing by all means put information out and look for them but they have scared my family and friends half to death.

"At the same time, I feel very thankful because the police and all the people involved in the search do an amazing job.

"Those guys were putting their lives at risk to look for me."

Detective Inspector Dan StQuintin said: "We take every report of a missing person seriously and will thoroughly investigate any potential line of enquiry.

"Where there is evidence to suggest that someone has entered water we would utilise all relevant resources to establish whether that was the case.

"It would not be appropriate to comment in detail on individual cases, but I can confirm that the search for Mr Brannigan also involved extensive searches and enquiries in the local area.

"We always utilise the relevant resources required to ensure a missing person is found, and public safety is our priority."