Hopes of finding missing British hiker running out

Hopes of finding the missing 67-year-old Briton who set off alone on a hike in the Escorca area of the island, between Lluc and Soller on Monday, were tragically running out last night. A team of over 50 mountain rescue experts, police, Soller red Cross and volunteers with aerial support from a Guardia Civil helicopter have been combing Escorca, the Binifaldo estate and the area around the Puig Tomir peak since Tuesday morning. Last night the tracker dogs and the helicopter returned to base having reported no signs of Peter Smiddy from Bradford who was on holiday with his wife Shiela in the Port of Pollensa. It appears that a farmer did see a walker fitting Smiddy's description on Monday making the descent from the Puig Tomir and police have not ruled out the possibility of the Briton deciding to embark on another walk in the region. Peter Smiddy went walking in the same area last year. His wife is still at their hotel hoping that the rescue services will find her husband. He was wearing a red shirt and shorts when he boarded a public bus on Monday morning at 10am.