Aidan Roche: British hiker missing in Switzerland as family and friends ‘extremely worried’

The family and friends of a British hiker last seen on a Swiss mountain six weeks ago say they are “extremely worried”.

Aidan Roche, 29, was last seen on 22 June on the Eiger Trail in the Grindelwald area of the Bernese Alps on the twelfth day of a two-week trip.

Since then, the solo traveller and chemical engineer from Middlesbrough has not been in contact with friends or family “which isn’t like him and we are extremely worried”, said a GoFundMe page set up on behalf of Mr Roche’s brother Connor.

The fundraiser set up to help with the search, including hiring a helicopter, has raised more than £30,000.

Mr Roche’s friends and family have also shared the last videos Mr Roche sent them in the hope that it can help find him.

In a TikTok video, Mr Roche’s friend Beth Taylor said the 6ft 2in experienced trekker and camper has a “distinct tattoo on his arm” and “absolutely loved blaring music out of his speaker in his backpack”.

It also included the last videos sent by Mr Roche to friends and family which feature panoramic shots of mountains and included other hikers.

Ms Taylor said she hoped releasing the videos might prompt a new lead in that hope that someone can identify the other people in them.

The fundraiser previously claimed authorities had launched a police and mountain rescue but had “exhausted every option they can for the past week” and had “stopped searching”.

In her TikTok video, Ms Taylor said the search operation had “found his van but no sign of Aidan”.

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Last month, the GoFundMe page said Mr Roche’s family and extended family would go out to Switzerland on 21 July to “continue the search”.

The Eiger mountain trail is a popular walking route.