Major Search Underway for Missing Man in Kent Village
A frantic hunt is on for Nicholas French, a man in his 50s who vanished without a trace in the village of Marden, Kent.
Mr French was reported missing at 9.11pm on Thursday, November 3, 2022. He had told family he was walking from a train station via Goudhurst Road but never made it home.
Coastguard Helicopter and Rescue Teams Flood Area
The search operation is in full swing, with a coastguard helicopter, Kent Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, and police officers combing the village and surrounding areas.
Mr French is described as about 5ft 10in tall, stocky but slight, with short greying hair and a beard.
- Teams are scouring gardens and hedgerows with torches despite the foul weather.
- Flooded roads from recent downpours have hampered access.
- Volunteers with 4×4 vehicles from South East have been called in to reach tricky spots.
Police Appeal and Local Efforts
A command centre has been set up at the junction of Mayes Road and Goulding Road in Marden to coordinate volunteers and officials.
Police are speaking to local residents to gather any information that could help find Mr French. Officers were spotted outside Marden Railway Station near a takeaway where he was last seen.
Inspector Suzy McDonnell said: “We are very concerned for this man’s welfare as there is considerable flooding on local roads, which he may have sought to avoid by walking along footpaths or across fields.”
“Emergency services are searching the Marden area and we are appealing to anybody who has seen Nicholas or knows of his whereabouts to contact us.”
Anyone with information is urged to call 999 quoting reference 3-1344.
