Haywards Heath Team GB Mountain Runner Missing In Scottish Highlands

Thursday, 29 October 2020 11:52

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Chris Smith (Photo: Police Scotland), and Glen Lyon (Map: OpenStreetMap contributors / CC)

A search involving a helicopter, mountain rescue teams and police is underway in the Scottish Highlands for Team GB athlete Chris Smith from Haywards Heath who's not been seen since Tuesday.

The 43-year-old was last in contact when he began a trail which would take-in four mountains over 3,000ft in Glen Lyon.

Police Scotland said that officers in Perthshire are today (October 29) continuing their searches for a third day.

Search teams have been focusing around the walking route it is understood Chris had planned to follow, encompassing four Munros (mountains over 3,000ft) — Meall nan Aighean, Carn Mairg, Meall Garbh and Carn Gorm (see map above).

The athlete's family said, in a statement:

"Chris is an experienced fell runner and Dad to two boys who are missing him so much.

"He went out to run [...] on October 27 at 3pm, leaving from Invervar, and should have been back around 5pm.

"He may have become disoriented and ended up further afield."

Inspector Emma Bowman, from Tayside Police Division, said:

“It is naturally concerning that he remains missing at this time.

"Our thoughts are with his family as the searches continue today.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in the searches so far and ask anyone who has any information about Chris’s whereabouts to contact police on 101, quoting incident 2775 of 27 October.”

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