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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.

eGJ Thu 31-Oct-13 19:27:36

Will alert all my Geneva friends. right now

Mishap Thu 31-Oct-13 19:07:33

I have emailed the facebook link to a number of my contacts, one of whom used to work for the European Commission. Hopefully some may have local contacts or some way of keeping the interest and impetus alive.

Iam64 Thu 31-Oct-13 18:40:07

Catching up early evening, having been out since mid day. The posts on here are so positive to read, despite the fear and anxiety we all share for Greatnan. I've shared on FB, and contacted the BBC - thanks to everyone for all they're doing, and to Lara Grandaughter, your nan has a right to be so proud of her family.

Notso Thu 31-Oct-13 18:03:48

So am I Katy

Minty Thu 31-Oct-13 17:47:18

If you tweet- PLS RT missing grandmother
https://www.facebook.com/carolsheridanmissing

KatyK Thu 31-Oct-13 17:43:36

I'm praying too

Notso Thu 31-Oct-13 17:34:28

Shared everything on F/B...so have family/friends. Have re-tweeted everything I've seen. Links sent to DD's who have thousands of followers (many in Europe) linked to their jobs....they've tweeted.

Hannoona Thu 31-Oct-13 17:25:45

I don't know what to say.

xxxxx

GadaboutGran Thu 31-Oct-13 16:50:25

That's great Mamie. I've contacted an old work colleague who was a TV police spokesperson who has offered to et a newsagency to phone one of the family with respect to UK media. However, they want to hold fire at present now things are beginning to move & don' want to upset the French police who are now being helpful. I'll be contacted if they change their minds to set things in motion.

thatbags Thu 31-Oct-13 16:46:12

Check out @embraceage on twitter, Icy and ask people to retweet.

Mamie Thu 31-Oct-13 16:45:54

Great that it has made the French media
alpes.france3.fr/2013/10/31/sans-nouvelles-de-carol-sheridan-ressortissante-britannique-disparue-habere-poche-haute-savoie-349409.html
Though it does say missing since Monday. I hope this means it will be on the local TV news at seven, which lots of people watch.

GillyC Thu 31-Oct-13 16:40:40

all Dutch speak English so no need to translate they start learning it at 5 as no other countries speak Dutch, we have family there and visit never met anyone not speaking English even young children

Icyalittle Thu 31-Oct-13 16:40:18

Does anyone gave a twitter message we can retweet? I'm sorry if I just can't find the reference.

Icyalittle Thu 31-Oct-13 16:32:58

Also emailed the bbc link, to add one more to the numbers who have done so.
I have emailed a number of Dutch families who also have holiday homes here in the Haute Savoie, to ask them to widen the net amongst the very large Dutch contingent in the area by forwarding the Facebook links and information, and also to ask if one of them would be willing to translate any of the posters.

glassortwo Thu 31-Oct-13 16:26:52

Sent loads of tweets, FO, David Cameron, Esther Rantzen, Silverline,bbc, newspapers and loads of others. Please keep the pressure on.

MiceElf Thu 31-Oct-13 15:56:46

I sent an email to BBC World Service but have heard nothing. Maybe lots more poking from everyone?

whenim64 Thu 31-Oct-13 15:54:01

It was suggested yesterday, kitty. Concentrating on local media was priority, but it's expanding to the BBC now, and I know GNHQ are doing a grand media job.

kittylester Thu 31-Oct-13 15:49:21

Just a thought - has anyone contacted the BBC World service? I don't remember seeing it mentioned. Sorry if I missed it and it has already been done.

Keep up the good work all of you. I'd bring you all a brew if I could.

Ruby6918 Thu 31-Oct-13 15:49:11

ive shared on facebook im just hoping and praying for her safe return,we all need to get the message out everywhere

Icyalittle Thu 31-Oct-13 15:48:09

I rang and left a message with the French Hiking Federation. Out all day, visited several tourist offices to talk about Carol's disappearance. I have given links to the Fb posters, unfortunately don't have access to a printer here. I have also posted on http://planetepassion.freeforums.org/ (it's a wildlife forum for English speakers but has lots of members in the area who are out and about in the wilds).

whenim64 Thu 31-Oct-13 15:40:07

Thank you Mr F. It appears the search is now taking place in earnest, helicopters available, media bombarded, gendarmes expressing appropriate concern now.

ffinnochio Thu 31-Oct-13 15:24:07

Mr. F has spoken to the Gendarmes. They were very helpful and wanted to reassure all that everything is being done to find Carol and her vehicle.

Elegran Thu 31-Oct-13 15:10:34

I have sent a shortened version of that message to Woman's Hour, Mishap It had to be 1000 characters or less.

This is the shortened version, if anyone is similarly restricted in sending a message to any other medium. In the title box, I added a bit more about the Gransnet thread and how everyone is trying to spread the word, with a link to this thread.

"Carol lives alone in Habere Poche, in the Haute Savoie departemente about 20 miles from Lake Geneva. She hikes alone in the mountains, and will often drive to find a remote mountain pass.

She has not been sighted since Saturday last. Local police and various other organisation have been informed and her daughter, Fiona Conyers, is coordinating a poster campaign. https://www.facebook.com/carolsheridanmissing?fref=ts

Carol's mobile phone is now showing 'call failed.' But previous signals from it 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.

It would be completely out of character for her to decide to "disappear", and her poor family are frantic with worry. She is an active and happy person with a real zest for life.

Time is running out to find her alive. If anyone is able to help at all then please post ideas as soon as possible."

Anne58 Thu 31-Oct-13 15:03:19

I have contacted Eddie Mairs PM programme on Radio 4

whenim64 Thu 31-Oct-13 14:50:02

Mamie police routinely triangulate mobile signals. Doesn't need the service provider.

Dresden it has been suggested bank details be checked. Carol is on a tight budget, has recently shelled out for her NZ trip to Fiona's next month and a Danube trip next year. Her travelling wings have been clipped till she saves up again, so she hasn't just taken off.