Search Suspended for Missing British Hiker in Pyrenees

15th August 2024

67-year-old Tom Doherty, a retired doctor from Hertfordshire, was travelling and camping solo in the mountain range.

He fell last Tuesday and sent his family a WhatsApp message at 19:07 BST telling them he had fallen and asking for help.

Sniffer dogs and helicopters were used in the search.

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

A huge search operation was launched with his family flying to France to take part.

No trace of him has been found.

The prosecutor’s office in Foix told AFP news agency that “Search operations have been suspended. After five days, we haven’t managed to find him.”

An investigation into Mr Doherty’s is continuing.

The Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI