Appeal to find St Albans man missing in French Pyrenees

Tom Doherty was hiking and camping near Col d’Escots when his family lost contact with him on Tuesday (August 6), with a search involving dogs and helicopters now under way.

His family have also flown to France to help in the search, including his daughter, Rachel Doherty.

A search to find the 67-year-old is underway. (Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)

She told the PA news agency that the family last heard from the 67-year-old at 19.07pm via WhatsApp, when he sent messages asking for "help" and told them he had "fallen and could not move".

"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’," Rachel said.

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

Mr Doherty messaged his family asking for help. (Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)

"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 have found his car.

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

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."

Mr Doherty has spend most of his time in France since retiring. (Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)

Mr Doherty with grandaughter Martha. (Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)