Tom Doherty, a 67-year-old retired British doctor and highly respected consultant in tropical medicine, has gone missing during a solo hiking trip in the French Pyrenees. The last contact his family had with him was over 60 hours ago when he sent a distressing message via WhatsApp, saying that he had fallen and could not move. Doherty, who has spent much of his retirement in France, is a devoted husband to Anne Doherty and a father and grandfather. His family, deeply concerned for his safety, has been working closely with French authorities, who have mobilized a large-scale search effort. Despite their efforts, Doherty remains unaccounted for, leaving his family and the community he served in a state of anxiety.
Experienced Hiker
Tom Doherty is no stranger to the outdoors. As an experienced hiker, he embarked on a journey through the French Pyrenees after leaving his holiday home near Bergerac on Saturday. This wasn’t his first adventure in the mountains; his wife, Anne, mentioned that he had been in Ax-les-Thermes, a ski resort in the Ariege department, near Andorra, earlier in the week. His family was accustomed to receiving updates and photos from his hikes, capturing the beautiful scenery and sharing his experiences.
The last known image sent by Doherty was geolocated near Étang du Comté, suggesting that he was hiking and camping near Col d’Escots. His daughter, Rachel Doherty, mentioned that her father was active in their family group chat, frequently sharing pictures and updates from his trip. On Tuesday afternoon, he sent a photo of clouds rolling over a mountain, accompanied by a single word: “bu**er.” It was the last message they would receive before his ominous plea for help later that evening.
Last Communication
At 7:07 pm on Tuesday, Tom Doherty sent a message to his family that would spark a widespread search operation. The message was brief but alarming—he had fallen and could not move. His family immediately tried to reach him, but their subsequent attempts to contact him went unanswered. This silence has left them in a state of deep worry and uncertainty.
The French authorities, alerted by the family, quickly launched a search operation. Specialist rescuers, helicopters, and search dogs were deployed to comb through the rugged terrain of the French Pyrenees. However, the search has been hampered by poor weather conditions, including thick fog, making it difficult to locate Doherty. So far, they have only found his tent and car, both located near Col d’Escots, but no sign of Doherty himself.
Search Efforts
The search for Tom Doherty has been extensive and ongoing, with French authorities pulling out all the stops to find the missing doctor. The use of helicopters and search dogs underscores the seriousness of the situation, and the terrain they are searching is known for being particularly challenging. The fog that has settled over the mountains has only added to the difficulties, limiting visibility and hampering the search efforts.
Despite these challenges, the search continues. Doherty’s family has released the last messages he sent, hoping that sharing this information might help in the search. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in the UK has also been involved, providing support to the family and coordinating with local authorities in France.
A Respected Medical Professional
Tom Doherty is more than just an avid hiker; he is a “legend” in the field of infectious diseases, particularly tropical medicine. His career spanned decades, during which he worked around the world, specializing in malaria and other tropical diseases. His expertise and dedication to his field earned him widespread respect among his peers and the communities he served.
Since retiring nearly a decade ago, Doherty has spent much of his time in France, enjoying the quieter life that his holiday home near Bergerac offered. His retirement years were filled with the same passion for adventure that marked his professional life, often taking to the mountains for long hikes. His disappearance has shocked both his family and the medical community, who are all hoping for his safe return.
Family’s Plea
Anne Doherty and the rest of Tom’s family are understandably distraught. They have been issuing pleas for information, hoping that someone might have seen him or have some information that could aid in the search. Rachel, his daughter, has expressed the family’s deep concern, stating how worried they are about his welfare. The family’s hope is that he will be found safe, but the uncertainty of the situation weighs heavily on them.
The family has also shared images of the poor weather conditions that have complicated the search, highlighting the urgency of finding him before conditions potentially worsen. The support they have received from both the British and French authorities has been a source of comfort, but until Doherty is found, the family’s anxiety will only continue to grow.
Community Impact
The disappearance of Tom Doherty has had a ripple effect, reaching beyond his immediate family to the broader community he has touched throughout his life. His work in tropical medicine has saved countless lives, and his colleagues and former patients are among those anxiously awaiting news. The search for Doherty has brought together both the local community in France and those connected to him back in the UK, all hoping for a positive outcome.
The dedication of the search teams, despite the challenging conditions, reflects the respect and concern felt by everyone involved. As the hours pass, the urgency of the search intensifies, with everyone holding onto the hope that Doherty will be found and brought home safely.
Conclusion
As the search for 67-year-old Tom Doherty enters its third day, the anxiety and concern felt by his family and the wider community continue to mount. The retired doctor, who has dedicated his life to helping others, is now the focus of a major search operation in the French Pyrenees. Despite the difficult conditions, the search teams remain committed to finding him. His family’s hope for his safe return is unwavering, but the lack of communication since his last message has left them in a painful state of limbo. Until Doherty is found, the search will continue, driven by the love and concern of those who know him and the determination of the authorities involved.