Tom Doherty, a retired doctor, went missing during a solo hike in the Pyrenees due to a lack of proper equipment, according to his wife Anne. Tom, 67, sent a distressing message to his family saying he had fallen and couldn’t move. Anne, along with search teams involving dogs and helicopters, has been desperately looking for him since Wednesday.
Anne mentioned that Tom was not familiar with the mountain and did not have the necessary gear for extended solo hikes. She revealed that he usually went for short walks lasting two to three hours. The family received the alarming message from Tom and immediately panicked. Despite their worries, they remain hopeful and are appealing for witnesses who may have seen him.
Anne explained that Tom was last known to be in Ax-les-Thermes, a ski resort in the Ariege department near Andorra, where he was hiking and camping. His car was found near the Aubé pond car park, but his tent was missing. The search efforts have been hindered by poor visibility due to fog, making it challenging to locate him in the mountainous terrain.
Tom’s niece, Kat Waterhouse, expressed shock at the situation but emphasized the importance of remaining hopeful. She mentioned that more family members have joined the search in France to help find Tom. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts, the family is determined to find him and bring him back safely.
The situation has highlighted the risks associated with hiking alone in unfamiliar terrain without proper equipment. It serves as a reminder for outdoor enthusiasts to always be prepared and ensure they have the necessary gear for their adventures. The search for Tom continues, with hopes of a positive outcome as more resources are dedicated to finding him in the challenging conditions of the Pyrenees.
