Man lost in New York for 5 days 'too shy to ask way'

A newcomer to New York ended up in hospital suffering from frostbite and dehydration after he left his brother's house for a stroll and spent the next five days hopelessly lost.

Damon Mootoo, 32, from Guyana, quickly became disorientated while walking in Queens last Wednesday without money or identification.

Mr Mootoo, who had arrived in America only 12 hours earlier, said he was too shy and frightened to ask anyone for help because he had heard that the city was a dangerous place and, anyway, people seemed too busy.

Although he has permanent US residency rights, he feared that if he approached the police they might detain him because he was not carrying any identification.