Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Tuesday 25th March 2025, at 07:45hrs
A large-scale search is underway for 80-year-old Brian Fletcher, a keen walker who went missing in the Tockholes area of Lancashire.
Lancashire Police initially contacted mountain rescue teams late Saturday night, expressing serious concerns for Mr. Fletcher’s welfare.
Mr. Fletcher is known to frequent walking routes around Higher Roddlesworth Reservoir and Lower Roddlesworth Reservoir.
His car was discovered parked on the A675 at Calf Hey Bridge, prompting an immediate response from search and rescue teams.
In challenging conditions, including fog and heavy rain, 16 members from Bolton Mountain Rescue Team and Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue Team initiated the search overnight.
They meticulously covered areas of Darwen Moor, Roddlesworth Plantations, and Great Hill, aided by a drone team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.
As daylight broke on Sunday, the search efforts intensified. Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team joined the operation, along with a HM Coastguard Search and Rescue aircraft and Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England.
The combined resources have been working tirelessly to locate Mr. Fletcher.
The search continued into Monday, with teams focusing on Darwen Moor, Withnell Moor, and the Roddlesworth Plantations.
Brian Fletcher is described as 5ft 8, slim, with grey hair.
A specialist sonar team could also be seen scouring the higher Roddlesworth Reservoir on Monday afternoon.
He is believed to be wearing a brown cap, blue top, and blue trousers. He also has a small scar on his cheek from a recent medical procedure.
Lancashire Police are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings of Mr. Fletcher immediately.
Anyone with information that could assist in locating him is asked to call 999 and ask for Police. For non-immediate information, please contact Police on 101, quoting Lancashire Constabulary log 1544 of 22nd March 2025.
The search teams and Lancashire Police are deeply concerned for Mr. Fletcher’s safety and are appealing to the public for their assistance in bringing him home.
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