A 36-year-old man with Down syndrome who went missing after the Terry Fox run at Wilket Creek Park has been found safe, Toronto police say.

Fernando Quintero was found by a TTC driver on a bus in the Warden Avenue and Bridetown Circle area — some 14 kilometres from where he went missing, Sgt. Jesse Weeks told CBC News.

Quintero was taking part in the run, as he and his family do almost every year, but became separated from the group at about the two-kilometre mark.

"I think he just kind of wandered off on his own," his brother Al said. "It's not like him... He wouldn't be away from his family."

He had been last seen near a public washroom in the area of Leslie Street and Eglinton Avenue East at 11:30 a.m., but was found about nine hours later.

Police described Quintero as "vulnerable" and searched the park using all terrain vehicles as well as on foot.

'A labyrinth of creeks and trails'

Three police divisions, 54, 22 and 53 were involved in a search of the area, which Weeks said was a few square kilometres large.

Al Quintero told CBC News that his brother Fernando was taking part in the run as he and his family do almost every year. But this time he ran up ahead of the group and became separated. (CBC)

"We've got a labyrinth of creeks and trails that run through this area and so far it's been a challenge to ensure that every nook and cranny has been checked," Weeks said on Sunday afternoon.

Police asked anyone living in the area to look out for Quintero in the hope of finding him before nightfall.

"He may be easy to miss because he is an adult, so if somebody saw him they may not realize that he's functioning as a six-year-old and they may think he's fine," Weeks said.

"He's kind of shy but he would look for help, I think," Quintero's brother said before he was found.

Quintero was taken to a command post at Marc Garneau Collegiate to be reunited with his family Sunday night.

