Search for British hiker missing in south-west France
He sent his family a text saying ‘Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t move’ and has not been heard from since Tuesday
Tom Doherty, 67, has been missing since Tuesday
Clare Carlile / X
The wife of a British hiker who disappeared in the south-west of France is appealing for anyone who has seen him or knows where he may be camping to contact the local police.
Tom Doherty, 67, is on a hiking holiday alone in Ariège while his family remains in England.
On Tuesday evening (August 6), the retired doctor sent them a text message saying “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t move,” and has not been heard from since. Members of his family came to France the next day to help search for him.
His last known location was near the Col d'Escots, Ariège, where his wife and daughter found his car.
“We know he's camping somewhere in the area, but not exactly where,” said his wife to local French media France3. They have not been able to locate his campsite.
On Tuesday, “someone saw him near the car park at the Etang d'Aubé, near the Cirque de Gérarc. He was tired, but wanted to keep going,” she added.
Anyone with information should contact the departmental police force on 05 61 05 43 00.
People with information either on Mr Doherty’s location, or the location of his campsite, are being asked to come forward.
A police search for him began on Wednesday (August 7), but fog in the area has impeded the operation, and as of today he is still missing.
Mr Doherty is an experienced hiker, but does not have so much experience in mountain areas, said his wife, so may have hurt himself by accident.
