Urgent police appeal as paraglider goes missing in the Lake District

Police have issued an urgent appeal for help to trace a paraglider who has gone missing in the Lake District.

Matthew Thornton, from Oxfordshire, had been staying in the Grasmere area, Cumbria Police said. Yesterday (Wednesday, October 29), he went to go paragliding in the Grasmere Heron Pike/Great Rigg/Fairfield area.

At around 12.30pm, the 34-year-old made last contact when he said he was 'going to attempt to paraglide as far as he could back to Grasmere'. Police said it is not known exactly where he set off from.

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Matthew has been since missing since then. Officers issued an appeal for help to trace him on social media last night, sharing pictures of him and his paraglider.

Police said he was last seen wearing black shorts and a pale blue top. "Officers are keen to hear from anyone who suspects they may have seen Matthew since 12.30pm or anyone else who may have information which could assist", Cumbria Police added in the appeal.

Anyone with information can report online at https://orlo.uk/02NtU quoting incident number 177 of 29 October 2024. You can also phone on 101.

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