A search has been launched on the island of Madeira after an elite British runner went missing.
Fell runner Darren Kay was on holiday with his partner Victoria in the town of Calheta when the couple went on a two-hour run together on Sunday. The 52-year-old decided to carry on running by himself for another 30 minutes, but never returned.
A huge search has now been launched, with the UK Foreign Office confirming they were supporting the family of a missing Brit in Madeira. Mr Kay lives in Sedbergh in Cumbria but is originally from Bolton, the BBC reports.
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His brother Jonny Kay told the BBC that his family were extremely worried about him and were flying to island to help with the search. He added: "We would urge any local resident or tourist who saw Darren running alone on Sunday afternoon to come forward to the police so his last location can be pinpointed."
Mr Kay is an experienced runner and had previously represented England in the prestigious Snowdon International mountain race. He is well known in the local running community.
Sports photographer Dave Woodhead, 64, who has known Mr Kay for years, said he hoped his vast experience would help him if he was in trouble. He said: "I’ve known Darren for years to be honest. When I used to run, he would always be around.
"He ran for our local club. I’ve known Victoria since she was ten.
"In one way, if it was me missing, then it would be more worrying because I’m not as fit as Darren is. Darren ran in English championship races.
"He’s run in appalling weather. He is so experienced, so he would know what to do if something happened.
But he added: "The other side of it is because he is so experienced, you do worry that something may have happened. What if it’s a freak accident?
"There are a lot of hollows and ravines there. If he’s gone down a ravine and broken his arm, he could be there for four to five days. But I have no idea what happened."
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who is missing in Madeira, and are in contact with the local authorities.”
A GoFundMe has been launched to help with the search here.
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