Fears are growing for the safety of a Suffolk man reported missing in the French Alps after a full-scale search was launched over the weekend.
David Wood, 61, from Woodbridge, has reportedly not been seen since he went off on a hike from his holiday home in the village of Marie on Tuesday.
He was expected back for a business call, but stopped answering his phone and has not been seen since.
Mr Wood was in good health, with slightly raised blood pressure, and an experienced walker.
His concerned family have been appealing for help from the public, and have spoken of their anguish on Facebook.
In a statement posted publicly online his son Danny said: “It is with much pain we have to report the disappearance of our beloved father, husband and best friend, David Wood.
“We knew he was getting tired, because our mum was very concerned and had rung him twice. The second time he admitted to tiredness. After these two calls he phone continued to ring, but he did not answer.
“His absence is completely out of character and he is in a very happy place in his life, in particular during these summers in France.
“Our worry has turned to confusion, fear, sadness, and back to worry again, nothing is making any sense.
The statement adds the French search and rescue teams would have found him had he come into difficulties at the more dangerous spots along the “straightforward” 6km walk he was taking, and say Mr Wood although inquisitive would not have put himself at “unnecessary risk”.
Mr Wood is described as having a full head of curly, white hair and was wearing an orange cap when he disappeared.
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