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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.

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Wed 30-Oct-13 14:57:48

Is anybody a member on MN too and can post similarly there? Definitely worth starting a thread - they're an amazing community and we're sure to get a good response. Best to put it under 'Chat' where most will see it.

MiceElf Wed 30-Oct-13 15:00:49

I'm prepared to join if needs be. But there may be others here who are already members. It it only HQ that post the MISSING POSTER?

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Wed 30-Oct-13 15:06:00

Will speak to them and see if it's possible to add it to the thread once it's live.

Mamie Wed 30-Oct-13 15:06:58

Done.

MiceElf Wed 30-Oct-13 15:07:18

OK

Mamie Wed 30-Oct-13 15:10:46

Other people may need to bump it though. Threads disappear off Chat in minutes.

MiceElf Wed 30-Oct-13 15:19:43

Done it! Joined up and started a thread. Please add to it anyone who is a member. Don't really know how MN works. It looks very busy. It's on CHAT

annodomini Wed 30-Oct-13 15:26:18

Good thinking Lara and quick action Mice. It's just wonderful how so many people are working to help Greatnan.

thatbags Wed 30-Oct-13 16:05:52

What's the thread called?

glassortwo Wed 30-Oct-13 16:10:05

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1896971-Missing-Gransnet-Member-French-alps?msgid=42631036#42631036

This is the Mumsnet thread. bags

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Wed 30-Oct-13 16:10:35

Here's the link.

thatbags Wed 30-Oct-13 16:14:23

Thanks, I found it.

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 16:22:08

It's great to see how fresh ways of spreading the word are still being identified.

gracesmum Wed 30-Oct-13 16:49:09

The world is indeed shrinking and the collective power of social networking is impressive!

baubles Wed 30-Oct-13 17:03:02

I'm bumping the Mumsnet thread too.

newist Wed 30-Oct-13 17:15:51

I to, keep bumping Mumsnet

annodomini Wed 30-Oct-13 17:33:32

Fiona says that the French Police seem to be taking the situation more seriously. They have been bombarded with messages from every part of the globe.

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 17:34:29

Please, if anyone has any ideas, however left field you might think they are, do shout up and we'll pursue them. Anno just came up with the idea that local huntsmen might be worth contacting, so we're trying to get details for the local hunting association in that area.

When Carol and I were up a mountain pass one day, we parked next to a group of hunters' cars and vans and their pack of dogs, and, as is her wont, she stopped to chat to them. They hunt in very remote areas, and commnicate by walkie-talkie, so could be helpful.

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 17:39:20

Fiona has messaged Ann about progress today:

"We have been hoping that the hunters will get involved once the word gets around Habere Poche. Simon has been dealing with Missing Abroad whilst I was asleep and it seems that they have succeeded in persuading the police to take this more seriously. We expect a proper search to get underway soon. They are probably amazed by the number of phone calls they have been bombarded with, from the UK, France, Switzerland and New Zealand! All telling them that they need to get looking." I will never badmouth the social media again!

gracesmum Wed 30-Oct-13 17:44:38

The potential of social networking is truly staggering!

tiggypiro Wed 30-Oct-13 18:12:43

Just switched on for the first time today and so sorry to hear the news that greatnan is missing. I am in awe of everything you are all doing whilst all I can do is support from a distance. My thoughts are with you all in your search.

Ariadne Wed 30-Oct-13 18:13:34

Local lads are putting up posters now! Plenty of local and not so local involvement, and our ex pat GNs are working wonders too. Let's hang on in hope.

annodomini Wed 30-Oct-13 18:18:37

That bit about not badmouthing the social media was me - not Fiona!

Notso Wed 30-Oct-13 18:22:15

Are there any local weather/meteorological stations that can be contacted to be on the lookout?

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 18:46:32

There are a few observatories at the summits of mountains, so naturally the workers will have to drive and cycle down to go home. They receive bulletins of emergencies in the mountains and will get canvassed as a matter of course. When we parked by one observatory there were some posters placed on the outside wire fence so visitors could see them as they went in the little cafe.