2013-02-22

Child Alerts UK - Central Scotland Police would like to provide the accurate picture of our collective efforts to trace David O'Halloran

https://www.facebook.com/missing.child.alerts.uk

central scotland police update

Central Scotland Police would like to provide the accurate picture of our collective efforts to trace David O'Halloran in an effort to dispel various inaccuracies or address any questions which have been raised through this social medium.

David went missing in the early hours of Friday January 18, but was not reported to police until his friends became concerned on Sunday January 20 and we have been searching for him since and continue to do so. 

We have utilised our own expert search teams, university staff, Mountain Rescue, International Rescue, police helicopter, specialist search dogs and Coastguard to search out from where David was last seen. We have taken expert advice who recommended a 2km search radius from point last seen and as such, almost 6000 homes and businesses in Bridge of Allan, Cornton and Causewayhead have had their gardens checked. We extended our search to a 3km radius.

The torrential rain snow and snow melt delayed our water searches, however, our Underwater Search Unit (UWSU) using specialist sonar, assisted by Central Scotland Fire and Rescue and a Coastguard specialist dog have searched the Allanwater and River Forth. Our divers and boat crews have experienced troublesome conditions in the water and we would like to highlight that an inexperienced user of the river may well encounter difficulties which may require our services to assist in such circumstances. We continue to search the River Forth from South Queensferry to the area near the A91 at Springkerse weather and conditions permitting.

All of these teams have undertaken their searches in terrible weather conditions and the UWSU have had to break ice in certain areas; the terrain has been challenging and included flat flooded fields, cliffs, wooded areas, populated areas, fast moving river and water courses. We also asked members of the public in these areas to check their outbuildings and land in case David may have taken shelter in a confined space.

David was last seen on CCTV stumbling in Henderson Street, Bridge of Allan. The experts we have spoken to consider that he was unlikely to have walked much further given the weather.

We would like to reassure that in the strongest terms a robust investigation has taken place and continues to do so in an effort to trace David for his family.

central scotland police update Central Scotland Police would like to provide the accurate picture of our collective efforts to trace David O'Halloran in an effort to dispel various inaccuracies or address any questions which have been raised through this social medium. David went missing in the early hours of Friday January 18, but was not reported to police until his friends became concerned on Sunday January 20 and we have been searching for him since and continue to do so. We have utilised our own expert search teams, university staff, Mountain Rescue, International Rescue, police helicopter, specialist search dogs and Coastguard to search out from where David was last seen. We have taken expert advice who recommended a 2km search radius from point last seen and as such, almost 6000 homes and businesses in Bridge of Allan, Cornton and Causewayhead have had their gardens checked. We extended our search to a 3km radius. The torrential rain snow and snow melt delayed our water searches, however, our Underwater Search Unit (UWSU) using specialist sonar, assisted by Central Scotland Fire and Rescue and a Coastguard specialist dog have searched the Allanwater and River Forth. Our divers and boat crews have experienced troublesome conditions in the water and we would like to highlight that an inexperienced user of the river may well encounter difficulties which may require our services to assist in such circumstances. We continue to search the River Forth from South Queensferry to the area near the A91 at Springkerse weather and conditions permitting. All of these teams have undertaken their searches in terrible weather conditions and the UWSU have had to break ice in certain areas; the terrain has been challenging and included flat flooded fields, cliffs, wooded areas, populated areas, fast moving river and water courses. We also asked members of the public in these areas to check their outbuildings and land in case David may have taken shelter in a confined space. David was last seen on CCTV stumbling in Henderson Street, Bridge of Allan. The experts we have spoken to consider that he was unlikely to have walked much further given the weather. We would like to reassure that in the strongest terms a robust investigation has taken place and continues to do so in an effort to trace David for his family.