Barnsley: Appeal to find 'elderly man with no shoes' walking in cold on bridge over M1
Police are asking after the welfare of an “elderly man with no shoes” seen walking in the cold over a motorway bridge in Barnsley.
Officers were called at 10.25pm on Saturday evening (December 20) over reports of a man, believed to be in his 80s, walking on Needle Eye Bridge, off Keresforth Hill Road.
He was reportedly wearing no shoes and inadequate clothing for the weather, and appeared confused.
However, when police searched the area, they were unable to find the man.
Needle Eye Bridge is a historic footbridge over the M1 motorway that leads through woodland.
Officers say they have been carrying out searches and enquiries to ensure the man is safe and well, but have been unable to identify who it could be.
As of 7.45pm today, (Monday, December 22), SYP has confirmed they sadly have no update on the man’s welfare.
SYP says it has conducted enquiries at hospitals, with the ambulance service and local authorities, and reviewed local CCTV, as well as deploying drones above routes on the TransPenine Trail where it is believed he was heading.
The man is described as white, around 6ft, of slim build, clean shaven, with white whispy hair.
He was wearing cord black trousers and a light coloured vest.
SYP want to hear from anyone who believes this man may be their loved one and has information about their current whereabouts, or any information or dashcam footage that could assist.
Anyone who believes they can help is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 986 of December20, 2025.