Urgent appeal to find British doctor missing in French mountains after messages pleading for help

Helicopters and dogs have been drafted in to help in the search for a retired British doctor who sent messages asking for help before disappearing in the French mountains.

Tom Doherty, 67 and from St Albans , was hiking and camping near Col d’Escots in the French Pyrenees when his family lost contact with him almost 48 hours ago on Tuesday.

The family said he sent messages asking for help on WhatsApp before disappearing, telling them he had fallen and could not move.

His daughter, Rachel Doherty, said the family last heard from Mr Doherty at 7.07pm before they lost communication.

“He was sending us a few pictures of the scenery and then on Tuesday afternoon sent us one of clouds coming over the top of a mountain. He said ‘bugger’.

“We told him to be careful and urged him to come down.

“The last time we heard from him was Tuesday. He told us he had fallen and couldn’t move. That’s all we’ve had since. The search party found a tent and his car.

“We’re obviously very worried and extremely concerned for his welfare.”

Mr Doherty’s car was found near the Col d’Escots hiking trail in the Ariege region near Cirque de Gerac.

Mr Doherty, a grandfather of one who has been described as an avid and experienced walker, set off in the Pyrenees on Saturday.

His wife and one of his four daughters have been at his last known location since Wednesday morning.

Ms Doherty is also now heading to France to join the search party.

According to his family, the retired doctor was a respected consultant of tropical medicine, who worked around the world and specialised in Malaria.

Since retiring almost a decade ago, he has spent most of his time in France.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British man missing in France and are in touch with the local authorities.”