Desperate hunt for Brit, 52, who disappeared while jogging on holiday in Madeira, as friends pray for ‘Christmas miracle’

A DESPERATE search has been launched for an elite British runner who disappeared while jogging on holiday in Madeira three days ago.

Friends and colleagues of Darren Kay, 52, said they were hoping for a “Christmas miracle” after he was last seen on the island on Sunday afternoon.

2

2

Darren, from Sedbergh in Cumbria, disappeared after going for a run with his partner, Victoria.

He told her he would continue jogging on his own for another 30 minutes while she returned home – but he never returned to their Airbnb.

A land and sea search involving firefighters and police, launched on Sunday, was hampered by bad weather.

Darren’s family have now flown to the island to help search for the rider, who previously represented England in the prestigious Snowdon International mountain race.

Reports said Darren was running between Faja do Mar and Madalena do Mar – a route described as “dangerous” in places by visitors who have taken it.

A police spokesman told reporters on Wednesday: “From Sunday until today, all search efforts have been unsuccessful and it has not been possible to locate the missing man.

“Terrestrial searches were greatly complicated by often unfavorable weather conditions.”

Darren’s employers, J&E Hall International, have urged people to help find the Briton.

“We reach out to all of our colleagues and business friends,” they said.

“Darren Kay, Service Technician from our Manchester Service Center, disappeared while on holiday in Madeira.

“Darren is an experienced runner and was racing on Sunday afternoon near the town of Calheta but never returned from his run.

“Please share in the hope that someone has information that may help.”

Colleague Tess Elm added: “As part of the JE Hall team at the Manchester branch, we are devastated by this news and are hoping for a Christmas miracle.

“We would all be in Madeira looking for if it was possible.

“Thinking of Darren’s family and friends and in particular his brother Andy Kay who works at the Manchester branch and has come out to help find him.

“At this deeply worrying time, we are all hoping for good news.”

Search teams fear Darren was swept out to sea by a wave.

But sports photographer Dave Woodhead, 64, who has known Darren for years, said he hoped his experience would help if he was in trouble.

He said: “I’ve known Darren for years to be honest. When I was running, he was always there. He raced for our local club. I have known Victoria since she was ten years old.

“In a way, if it was me missing out, it would be more worrying because I’m not as fit as Darren.

“Darren has raced in English Championship races. He has raced in terrible weather conditions.

“He has so much experience that he would know what to do if something happened.”

But he added: “The other side is that he has so much experience that you are worried that something has happened.

“What if it was a freak accident? There are a lot of hollows and ravines there.

“If he went down a ravine and broke his arm, he could be there for four to five days. But I have no idea what happened.”

According to Madeira newspaper Diario de Noticias, Darren and his partner were on their sixth vacation to the island.

His family are believed to have traveled to Madeira on Monday.

The UK Foreign Office has confirmed it is supporting the family of a Briton who disappeared in Madeira.

In the past 18 months, three tourists have disappeared on the island and have still not been found.

Polish Michael Kozek and Frenchman Benoit Way, both 35, and German Jascha Hardenberg, 28, were all missing.