Survival expert Ray Mears joins search for missing teacher Darren Blyth

Darren, a teacher at Stokesley School, in North Yorkshire has not been seen since Wednesday evening (April 14) after he left his home in Trimdon Station at around 7pm – stating he was going to take photographs at Hawthorn Dene.

The 55-year-old was reported missing shortly after midnight on Thursday, April 15 after he failed to return home and police have revealed that they are “increasingly concerned” for his welfare.

Now survival expert Ray Mears, who is a friend of the family, has joined the search for the missing dad.

He is said to be helping police search for Darren by studying the area where he was last sighted, The Cleveland Way, and suggesting where he might go for food and shelter.

It follows a search by Hartlepool RNLI along the East Durham coast in the early hours of Thursday, April 15. Crews stood down after three hours of searching.

Darren’s wife Mel says her husband’s disappearance is completely out of character and believes the Covid pandemic and financial pressures have impacted his mental health.

Darren is described as 5ft 10 inches tall, of slim build and with short grey hair, and was last seen wearing a black North Face coat and grey outdoor trousers.

Anybody with any information relating to Darren’s whereabouts has been asked to contact Durham Police on 101 as soon as possible, quoting reference number 005 of April 15

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