Image copyright Courtesy New York State Police Image caption Danny Filippidis was found in California after going missing in New York state

Mystery surrounds how a Canadian fire captain who went missing in New York State ended up almost 3,000 miles (4,800 km) away in California.

Constantinos Filippidis, 49, vanished on 7 February during a ski trip on Whiteface Mountain.

On Tuesday morning, he called emergency services from Sacramento airport and told them he was a missing person.

But Mr Filippidis says he remembers very little about his journey across the country.

Sergeant Shaun Hampton, with the Sacramento Sheriff's Department, said Mr Filippidis believed he had sustained a head injury at some point in the last few days.

Officers who were dispatched to the airport confirmed his identity. The Toronto man appeared disoriented and was occasionally confused.

He was still wearing snow boots and his ski jacket, and was carrying his helmet.

The firefighter told police he had travelled across the country as a passenger on a big rig truck but could not recall anything about either the vehicle or the driver.

Mr Hampton said Mr Filippidis told them could not remember much at all about the last two days.

The police officer said it also appeared Mr Filippidis got a haircut and bought an iPhone while in California.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions "to say the least", said Mr Hampton.

New York State authorities, who launched a search for the Toronto firefighter, appealed on Wednesday afternoon to the public for information on Mr Filippidis' journey.

"If we could have somebody call that we can prove actually met Danny on his journey across the country that would be tremendous help to us," said New York State Police's Major John Tibbets at a news conference.

Mr Filippidis was brought to a local hospital. He does not face any charges.

Toronto Fire Services Chief Matthew Pegg said in a statement his colleagues are very relieved to know Mr Filippidis is safe.