A retired British doctor has gone missing in the French Pyrenees, after he told his family, in his last messages to them, that he had fallen and couldn’t move.

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

His daughter Rachel Doherty said that they last heard from him at 7.07pm via the messaging app WhatsApp.

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

A search has since been launched, involving dogs and helicopters, which has located a tent and Mr Doherty’s car.

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 has found a tent and his car.

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

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Mr Doherty, a grandfather of one, has been described as an avid and experienced walker.

He 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 and Ms Doherty is heading out to France to join the search party as well.

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

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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.”

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