24-03-2025
Major search for missing 80-year-old 'keen walker' last seen in Lancashire
Drones, search dogs and a helicopter are all being used in a major search for an 80-year-old man who went missing two days ago at one of his regular walking Fletcher drove from his home in Bury on Saturday afternoon and parked in a layby by the village of Tockholes, Lancashire Police said. Mountain rescue teams have joined the force searching the area by the Roddlesworth Reservoirs and parts of the West Pennine are concerned for the welfare of the "keen walker" and birdwatcher, who regularly treks in the area, the force said.
Mr Fletcher is 5ft 8ins tall (176cm), with grey hair and a small scar on his was believed to be wearing a brown cap, blue top and blue trousers, a police spokesman said. His car, a grey-coloured Citroen C4 was found parked in the layby on the A675, near to Tockholes Road.
Lancashire Police are leading the operation alongside Bolton, Rossendale & Pendle, and Bowland mountain rescue dogs, a drone from the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and a coastguard helicopter have also been used in the search.
Bolton Mountain Rescue Service said police had asked for help at about 23:42 GMT on Saturday. About 16 rescuers searched overnight in "foggy, wet conditions, covering Darwen Moor, Roddlesworth Plantations, and Great Hill", he search is now centred on parts of Darwen Moor, Withnell Moor and the Roddlesworth Plantations.
Officers have been seen combing fields on moors in the area as part of the search operation, which is based out of Crookfield car park. People who live in the Tockholes area have been asked to look out for the 80-year-old and contact the police "immediately" if they spot with information about Mr Fletcher's whereabouts is asked to contact Lancashire Police.
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