Search called off for missing British doctor Tom Doherty in French Pyrenees after six days

Major search effort was launched after grandfather text family to tell them he had fallen on hike

Tom Doherty (right), 67, from St Albans, with his wife Anne Doherty (Family Handout/PA) (PA Media)

French authorities have called of their search for British doctor who disappeared in while hiking in Pyrenees.

Tom Doherty, 67, went missing on 6 August after he went for a hike on the Col d’Escots near the ski resort of Guzet.

The retired doctor from Hertfordshire was on a solo camping expedition when he sent his family a WhatsApp message asking for help, writing: “Help, I’ve fallen and cannot move.”

French police launched a major search involving helicopters and dogs as Mr Doherty’s wife and one of his daughters arrived in the area to help.

The search party located Mr Doherty’s tent, and his car, which was found near Pouech de Gerac.

Tom Doherty with his wife Anne. The retired doctor is described as an experienced and able walker (PA)

But the prosecutor’s office in Foix said on Monday that search operations had been suspended. Officials told Agence France-Presse: “After five days, we haven’t managed to find him.”

An investigation into the disappearance would continue, they added.

Conditions during the search were deemed difficult, with foggy weather making locating Mr Doherty far more difficult.

A picture showed a search team vehicle shrouded in fog, with visibility appearing to be no further than around 20 metres.

Mr Doherty, a grandfather-of-one, has three daughters and one son. He has been described as an avid and experienced walker. A respected consultant in tropical medicine, he worked around the world and specialised in malaria.

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

Last Whatsapp messages from Mr Doherty show him asking for help (PA)

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

French police launched a major search involving helicopters and dogs as Mr Doherty’s wife and one of his daughters arrived in the area to help.

One of the last pictures sent by Mr Doherty (Family Handout/PA) (PA Media)