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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.

annodomini Sat 02-Nov-13 09:43:02

Some members have noticed that Lara mentioned the date when Carol last posted on Gransnet and that this was after Greatnan had left the site. Yes, both are true. Carol had registered under another name which is all I'm saying for the time being.

Mamie Sat 02-Nov-13 09:55:12

Anno, when, do we have any update on what is actually happening in France? I am happy to keep posting on local French forums, but it would help to know if it has been on local radio, posters, leaflets etc
The English media stuff is great, but French would be better...

Movedalot Sat 02-Nov-13 11:23:04

Bumped

whenim64 Sat 02-Nov-13 11:28:28

We need more ideas and suggestions for mobilising French media, if anyone can assist, please?

whenim64 Sat 02-Nov-13 11:29:59

anno may be incommunicado for a day or so, packing to leave just now. She'll pop in if and when she can.

Agus Sat 02-Nov-13 11:38:07

When. Can't believe I didn't think of it before now. I'm at hospital with DH just now but if any one can contact 'Riviera Radio' , a radio station based in Monaco for ex pats throughout France. It has a wide audience and is English speaking staff. Number is. 00377 97979497. Hope this helps

Agus Sat 02-Nov-13 11:40:09

I'll phone at so e point to day to chase it up when I can.

whenim64 Sat 02-Nov-13 11:46:22

Thanks Agus just in Sainsbury's at the moment, so can others please pick up and support any actions?

Agus Sat 02-Nov-13 11:47:15

Email them at [email protected]

Minty Sat 02-Nov-13 11:54:39

I have emailed the Riviera Radio Station. The more people who email the better.

Mamie Sat 02-Nov-13 11:57:47

Could GNHQ email too? I think that might interest them.

whenim64 Sat 02-Nov-13 11:58:54

LaraGNHQ has offered more help.

grannyactivist Sat 02-Nov-13 11:59:21

Emailed

JessM Sat 02-Nov-13 12:01:03

OK I have send that email in to GNHQ for them to follow up. There is always someone on duty.

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Sat 02-Nov-13 12:05:10

Might be worth us all sharing the Twitter and FB names of French news agencies. If you can speak French it's prob worth tweeting them in French. Use hashtag #findcarol

@AFP
@lamontagne_fr
@TheLocalFrance

Link to FB page of Le Dauphine

Link the The Local France website
and their Facebook page.

If on Facebook share the Facebook page the family has set up or a link to this thread.

Will add more but if anyone has any to add do share.

Agus Sat 02-Nov-13 12:06:56

Have tried phoning but keeps ringing out. Will keep trying, but bombard them with Emails.

ffinnochio Sat 02-Nov-13 12:11:54

I have emailed the English Speaking Association of Haute-Savoie and directed them to the FB page.

grannyactivist Sat 02-Nov-13 12:11:58

Have 'messaged' the two French 'Missing' posters to the FB page of Le Dauphine.

ffinnochio Sat 02-Nov-13 12:13:07

Please continue to contact them.

esa-hs.com/contact/

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Sat 02-Nov-13 12:23:29

Just tweeted some more news agencies. Pls retweet if you can.

Re-attaching the French poster as well as the car poster in French. If anyone has any more up to date posters please email them to contactus and we can share here.

grrrranny Sat 02-Nov-13 12:26:29

Emailed ESA

grannyactivist Sat 02-Nov-13 12:28:17

Emailed ESA

Agus Sat 02-Nov-13 12:42:51

Worth linking Lara's tags to Riviera Radio and they will pass the, on to all listeners. Locals as well as expats listen to this station all over France.

glammanana Sat 02-Nov-13 12:43:58

done ESA.

Agus Sat 02-Nov-13 12:48:46

If you can't speak French just go into any site and put URGENT votre assistance svp. Carol est perdu then put in the French poster link.