Urgent appeal for St Albans man missing in French Pyrenees

The family of a retired British doctor from St Albans have issued an urgent appeal after he went missing in the French Pyrenees almost 48 hours ago.

Tom Doherty, 67, was hiking and camping near Col d'Escots when his family lost contact with him on Tuesday.

A search is underway involving dogs and helicopters.

His daughter, Rachel Doherty, told the PA news agency the family last heard from Mr Doherty at 19.07pm via WhatsApp.

He sent them messages asking for help and told them he had fallen and could not move.

Ms Doherty said: "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 have found his car.

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

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

His wife and one of his children 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."