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IMPORTANT! Please read. Missing Gransnet member in France

(412 Posts)
whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 10:28:11

Carol Sheridan, who we all know well as Greatnan, has gone missing in the French Alps, probably whilst out on one of her frequent mountain walks.

Carol lives in Habere Poche, in the Haute Savoie departemente about 20 miles from Lake Geneva. She is mad keen on hiking alone in the mountains, and will often take off in her car to find a remote mountain pass where she can walk and enjoy the amazing scenery.

On Saturday last, she was seen driving out of her car park by a neighbour, and she has not been sighted since. Police have made enquiries and advised she can be listed as a missing person this morning. Interpol, Wellington, New Zealand police and the French gendarmerie will cooperate in attempts to find Carol. (Her daughter lives in New Zealand)

Her daughter, Fiona Conyers, is coordinating a poster campaign, and local radio stations, the Mairie, people in the village, Commonwealth Office, British Embassy and several others have been notified. GNHQ have a copy of the poster and will try to assist.

Carol's mobile phone was active whilst she was missing, but is now showing 'call failed.' However, signals from it when it was active may help the search.
She drives a black Fiat Panda 4x4 reg: AZ 522 AP. she could be parked on a mountain pass, waiting for help to arrive if she has broken down. The walks she goes on are in very remote areas, but she does occasionally see other walkers and cyclists.

A group of Gransnetters has been busy over the last 36 hours, sharing information and supporting the family. A couple of fluent French speakers have emailed local radio stations, offered to speak to police and to give help with translations of information.

We are aware there are quite a few Gransnetters living in France and the Swiss borders. If you know of any walkers who will be in the French Alps today, please share this with them.

Finally, would you please avoid sending private pm message with your good wishes, as answering them will distract the involved Gransnet members from liaising and offering support to Carol's worried family. I know you lovely Gransnetters will understand, and we'll keep updating as we know more throughout the day.

Many thanks.

wannabeagran Fri 01-Nov-13 17:24:34

Just read this on Mumsnet & wondered if anyone can do this:

"Wondering if someone could look on her computer to search her history to see if she had been looking up where she was intending to go?"

noodles Fri 01-Nov-13 17:40:43

The story is in the online edition of the Telegraph now:

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/10421203/Retired-head-teacher-missing-after-leaving-for-solo-hike.html

noodles Fri 01-Nov-13 17:46:11

and in the DM:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2483586/Fears-British-great-grandmother-73-disappeared-days-ago-going-hike-French-Alps.html

whenim64 Fri 01-Nov-13 18:22:33

wannabeagran yes, the police were applying for a search warrant so they could take her computer and check her apartment. Discussed with a member of her family yesterday.

Iam64 Fri 01-Nov-13 18:36:30

Anno - I heard the radio Manchester piece, thank you so much

annodomini Fri 01-Nov-13 18:42:35

Thanks, Iam. Just wish they had given me a bit more time, but these shows are very tightly scheduled.

whenim64 Fri 01-Nov-13 19:03:44

I missed it as out, but thank you anno. Great job!

gratefulgran54 Fri 01-Nov-13 19:40:20

Although new on here, I can see how worried you all are, so have just shared the Daily Mail article on my Facebook, having shared the poster yesterday.
I do so hope, for all of her friends on here, and her family, that there is news soon. flowers

absent Fri 01-Nov-13 21:41:10

I hate to suggest it, but if someone has stolen her car as it has been parked in the same place for a while…

Marelli Fri 01-Nov-13 21:48:30

absent, that's a possibility. Would it not have been spotted on the roads in that case? Perhaps not if its expected to have been sitting somewhere, though.

whenim64 Fri 01-Nov-13 22:30:28

Carol spoke about the relative lack of crime in the area, as it is so sparsely populated. Car crime practically unheard of. If it was parked somewhere remote, the likelihood of car theft is low.

maxdrans Fri 01-Nov-13 22:53:23

Just shared the daily mail article on my fb I too hope for news soon

annodomini Fri 01-Nov-13 22:55:03

Liverpool Echo has used all my material plus some of the same detail as the Manchester Evening News article.

Flowerofthewest Fri 01-Nov-13 22:56:52

Have shared Mail article with Linkedin (think that's how it's spelt) it is well and truly out to the public there. Also am bumping my three posts regarding Carol on my FB page continually

whenim64 Fri 01-Nov-13 23:50:19

Some great work has been going on today. What a formidable gang of Gransnetters we have. When this is sorted out, we can have a crack at the national debt!

Mamie Sat 02-Nov-13 04:58:51

Morning all. Starting my search of the French media on line, but nothing yet. Via the expat forums I have asked people to keep an eye on the papers and local television, but nothing there either. If you know anyone in the region please can you ask them too.
Here's hoping for some news today.

Mamie Sat 02-Nov-13 05:02:59

Just to be clear, I am looking to see if the French media are covering the story. It still only seems to be on the France TV 3 site.

bluebell Sat 02-Nov-13 07:40:07

Bump

Grannyknot Sat 02-Nov-13 08:30:03

Am checking in, really worrying now.

Head office - am I right that we don't have to bump threads that have the 'sticky' in the shape of the Gransnet logo affixed? Just to save people having to do that, be good to know.

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Sat 02-Nov-13 08:51:52

Hi everyone, was really hoping to log in to see some developments this morning.

Yes, Grannyknot, you're right. You don't have to bump this thread. We stickied it so it'll remain at the top of Actives. Please let's all continue bringing this to the attention of authorities, press, whoever we can think of.

whenim64 Sat 02-Nov-13 09:25:49

Morning, everyone. A day of waiting for news. Please visit soop's kitchen thread to catch up on support, sharing and an idea for collective moment of silence/mediation/prayer at 12 noon.

Oldgreymare Sat 02-Nov-13 09:26:11

Just 'Googled' Habere Poche to discover a very informative website. I presume the mayor and his deputies are aware of the situation... I'm sure they were contacted ages ago.

whenim64 Sat 02-Nov-13 09:30:04

Back to business! Could everyone please remember to post factual information, suggestions and links for passing on to family, police etc. on this thread. Keeping it lean so we can quickly scan it when information is needed will really help.

The Greatnan Missing thread is there for us to support each other and express how we're feeling.

Thanks very much.

whenim64 Sat 02-Nov-13 09:30:50

ogm the mayor was contacted a few days ago.

Oldgreymare Sat 02-Nov-13 09:31:48

The site also gives details of clubs/societies in the area, again I am sure they have been allerted.