North Yorkshire millionaire and owner of The Forbidden Corner, Colin Armstrong, has been freed after being kidnapped in Ecuador.
The 78-year-old was taken from his home in the Los Ríos territory in the early hours of Saturday, December 16.
A Columbian woman, believed to be his partner, was also reportedly kidnapped.
However, the General Commander of the Ecuadorian police, César Augusto Zapata Correa, said today on social media Mr Armstrong was found “on the road to Manabí”:
“On the road the Manabí, our units released citizen Colin A, kidnapped days before in Los Ríos.
“At the moment he is safe and healthy.”
Nine people have been arrested in connection to the case, the commander added.
The Forbidden Corner also took to social media to confirm the news:
“We can confirm that Mr Colin Armstrong has successfully been released and is currently with the police having interviews and then will be returning to his family in Ecuador.
“All of his UK family, staff and friends are delighted with the outcome and look forward to a happier Christmas.”
No further details, including the whereabouts of the woman also allegedly taken, have been revealed yet.
Mr Armstrong, who was formerly the UK’s honorary consul in Guayaquil, owns the 500-acre Tupgill Park Estate, near Leyburn.
It employs 50 people and receives around 150,000 visitors every year.
He is also the founder of Agripac, an Ecuadorian agricultural supplies company, which he founded in 1972.
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Forbidden Corner owner Colin Armstrong ‘kidnapped in Ecuador’
North Yorkshire businessman and millionaire, Colin Armstrong, has been kidnapped from his home in Ecuador, local media reports have said.
Various Ecuadorian news outlets said the 78-year-old was reportedly taken from his ranch in the Los Ríos territory in the early hours of Saturday, December 16.
A Columbian woman, who is believed to be his partner, was also allegedly taken by the group of kidnappers.
The Ecuadorian police took to social media to say specialised units of the force were carrying out “operational and research tasks” in relation to the case, following an “alleged criminal act against a businessman”.
They did not name Mr Armstrong in the statement.
A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign and Development Office, which also did not name Mr Armstrong, said in a statement:
“We are in contact with the Ecuadorean authorities following the disappearance of a British man and are supporting his family.”
Ecuadorian news outlet, Expreso, said the chief of the Los Ríos Police, Colonel William Calle, indicated the anti-kidnapping and extortion units were “working on the release” of the man involved.
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A video of what is claimed to be the businessman’s South American home circulated on social media following the incident. The footage, which has been shared by Ecuadorian news outlets, shows blood-stained bed sheets and a broken doorframe.
Mr Armstrong, who was formerly the UK’s honorary consul in Guayaquil, owns the popular Leyburn tourist attraction, The Forbidden Corner, as well as the 500-acre Tupgill Park Estate.
It employs 50 people and receives around 150,000 visitors every year.
He is also the founder of Agripac, an Ecuadorian agricultural supplies company, which he founded in 1972.
Mr Armstrong was awarded an OBE and CMG by the Queen in 2011 for services to the British Monarchy.
Cutting edge technology to bring Forbidden Corner to lifePopular tourist attraction The Forbidden Corner will use cutting-edge 5G and augmented reality technology to create a new digital quest adventure.
The quirky labyrinth of tunnels, grottos, mazes and follies sits within a four-acre garden near Leyburn, just north of the Harrogate district.
The attraction is taking part in North Yorkshire County Council’s Mobile Access North Yorkshire Project (MANY) by using 5G technology to turn its popular brass rubbing experience into an interactive experience.
5G technology delivers high-speed and more reliable mobile internet access. Augmented reality often works through a mobile phone or tablet and superimposes digital data and images onto the physical world.
Johnny and Wendy Reeves, who have managed the Forbidden Corner for over 20 years, said the technology will reward returning visitors.
“Our customers are loyal. But we want to exceed their expectations and offer them more so they can experience something different every time whilst rewarding loyalty.
“It is exciting that the 5G network, which MANY will bring, will enable us to develop this type of adventure”.
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Katherine Pearson, managing director of Flo-culture, which is providing the technology, added:
“A 5G network will allow us to immerse visitors at The Forbidden Corner in a real-time augmented reality experience. The uniqueness of The Forbidden Corner will be brought to life in a totally new way.”
The Forbidden Corner was dreamed up by landowner, Colin Armstrong, who originally built it as a private folly. It was opened up to the public in 1994.