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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.

GreatGranddaughter Thu 31-Oct-13 07:35:28

I have sent an email to the local paper and will contact the TV station now - will let you know if I get a reply.
Do you have a link to these forums? I will try and share updates as we get them, similarly please feel free to keep posting ideas - it all helps!

Mamie Thu 31-Oct-13 07:28:18

The TV link is here Lara
alpes.france3.fr/haute-savoie
I just googled for the newspaper.
There are threads on the Complete France and French Entrée forums. If you have time and are able to post on them I think it would help keep up the interest.

GreatGranddaughter Thu 31-Oct-13 07:20:50

Thank you Mamie, I will do all that I can to contact Le Dauphiné Libéré and Chaîne 3 today - I have to do this by email as I am much better at writing French than speaking in real-time. If any French speakers are able to help by contacting any local businesses and communities it would be invaluable!

kittylester Thu 31-Oct-13 07:19:47

Love and hugs to all your family Lara. Please keep us informed.

Ariadne Thu 31-Oct-13 07:16:11

Good morning, Lara. Yes, your Nan is indeed much loved and respected, and we will do everything we can. x

MiceElf Thu 31-Oct-13 07:13:40

Lara, your nan is much loved and respected. Thank you for the update and it's good to know that there is some progress. All the community here are thinking of you all and will do anything they can to help x

Mamie Thu 31-Oct-13 07:11:22

Lara I think the local paper is Le Dauphiné Libéré. There is also always a local news part of the national news on the French Channel (Chaîne) 3. Could the local Maire be asked to contact them? I think they are more likely to listen to the local officials.

baubles Thu 31-Oct-13 07:08:21

Lara flowers your Nan does indeed have many friends. Love & positive thoughts being sent your way x

GreatGranddaughter Thu 31-Oct-13 07:07:02

Thank you so much ffinnochio, I have tried contacting local news networks overnight but not sure who is best to contact. I think media coverage is a must to get the locals out looking for her car. All efforts are greatly appreciated - we couldn't do this without you!

GreatGranddaughter Thu 31-Oct-13 07:04:29

Hello, I'm Carol's Granddaughter - Lara. We have made some progress overnight in terms of contacting locals, farmers, mountaineers, aviation groups & local news networks. We are expecting a call from the Missing Abroad charity who are currently liaising with the foreign office and putting pressure on French police to launch an official search. We will keep you updated as we know more.
In the meantime, I have created a poster portraying images of a car that I believe to be very similar to the one Nan owns and was last seen driving. We believe finding the car is going to be key in finding Nan, so please do all that you can to share these posters (French/English) that I have shared to Carol's Facebook page.
Also, having not seen this car in person, I am unsure if this is a completely accurate portrayal of the vehicle, therefore to anyone who has stayed with my Nan, please let me know if this is an accurate (enough) picture.
Thank you all for your kind words and support, I am blown away by the number of generous friends my Nan has. All your efforts have been tremendous and keep us hopeful!

Mamie Thu 31-Oct-13 06:29:28

I have tried looking at the local paper on line. Assume it is Le Dauphiné Libéré? Nothing in at the moment as far as I can see, but maybe somebody local could have a look?

Ariadne Thu 31-Oct-13 06:22:20

Good morning, ffinnochio, and thanks. The amount of information and ideas coming in are great.

ffinnochio Thu 31-Oct-13 06:03:28

more info. on fb. page. FRANCE 24 English
All contact. info. there.

Send all the emails you can in the hope they will broadcast.

ffinnochio Thu 31-Oct-13 06:00:06

More info.

www.france24.com/en/

ffinnochio Thu 31-Oct-13 05:55:02

I've contacted France24, an International News Programme. I've directed them to the fb page Carol Sheridan Is Missing.

merlotgran Wed 30-Oct-13 23:00:24

Amen to that, Galen

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 22:50:09

Great idea glamma!

Galen Wed 30-Oct-13 22:45:06

Dear God.
Please let our friend be found safe and well!
Amen

glammanana Wed 30-Oct-13 22:42:25

Have contacted Liverpool Echo so they can publish details for anyone travelling to the area via John Lennon Airport over the next few hours,I hope we hear something soon,no chance of any sleep tonight for a lot of us praying she is safe.

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 22:22:31

Yes, she's been a real trouper, actively contributing on Facebook, phoning local people and offering to help with the search.

annodomini Wed 30-Oct-13 22:15:38

Granjura has been immensely helpful.

annodomini Wed 30-Oct-13 22:15:10

I have suggested to Fiona that as Greatnan came from Salford, the North West Media would be worth contacting - BBC and ITV as well as the Manchester Evening News.

Aka Wed 30-Oct-13 22:01:57

I've just had an email from ex-member Granjura who has emailed the poster to the hunters in the region.

GadaboutGran Wed 30-Oct-13 21:24:52

If the media can print frivolous stories about Mumsnet & Gransnet (eg the 'beakers' story) I think there is enough of a story in this for them considering the importance of GNetters in the search. I suggested to GNHQ what the hook for the media could be to encourage them to use their media networks (& isn't Justine the founder married to a Guardian reporter?). Perhaps others could suggest it to them too. The media may pay more attention to an approach from them as well as any individual approaches we can make. I'm glad to know Mark welcomes media coverage.

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 21:05:21

Icy no I haven't heard that anyone has contacted them yet. Your help would be very much appreciated - thanks.