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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.

ffinnochio Wed 30-Oct-13 19:26:41

The chase (hunters) are certainly a group to address. I have spoken to a member in our area, to see if he has any contacts in Greatnan's area.

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 19:36:13

Thanks, ffinnochio. Fiona (daughter) has mentioned that local hunters and their dogs could be very helpful. One of the group helping on Facebook identified [email protected] as the email address of one hunting group in the Haute Savoie, and commented that her French is not good enough to write to them. Don't yet know if they've been contacted - I suspect my French is even worse! An email to them wouldn't go amiss if you could help, please?

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Wed 30-Oct-13 19:51:06

The French poster.

gracesmum Wed 30-Oct-13 20:01:33

I'm wondering if anybody has been into Carol's flat as there might be some indication of whether she was going out on a day's walking or popping to the shops? Or maybe a diary/calendar with appointments on it? Just a thought.

Anne58 Wed 30-Oct-13 20:07:38

I believe that the local police have done that, graces , it is mentioned further back on this thread.

MiceElf Wed 30-Oct-13 20:09:13

Her grandson had messaged to ask as many people as possible to contact news desks of the BBC, Sky and any other broadcast media you can think of.He says the more contacts they get the more likely they are to give it publicity.

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 20:26:34

gracesmum her flat has been visited by police. She doesn't keep anything that shows appointments or plans. All her walking equipment os always in the car, but she might exchange walking boots for trainers depending on what she's planning.

Minty Wed 30-Oct-13 20:46:24

I have tweeted all the contacts I have in media.

gracesmum Wed 30-Oct-13 20:51:20

Sorry, must have missed that,*phoenix*, brain going round in circles trying to think of anything that could be relevant.

Icyalittle Wed 30-Oct-13 20:56:05

Just checked 3 English speaking French forums that I use when in the Alps and they all have the details up and running. Whenim64, do you know if anyone emailed the hunter group you mentioned? If not, I would do it?

MiceElf Wed 30-Oct-13 21:01:55

Her family have stated a FB page called Carol Sheridan Missing which they would like you all to share.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Granjura has been immensely helpful.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Great idea glamma!

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

Amen to that, Galen

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.

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

More info.

www.france24.com/en/

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.

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

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