Wednesday, 25 May 2011 - 9:47am |
Southern

Search Continues Today for Missing Balclutha Woman

1 min read

Twenty search and rescue personnel are continuing to scour the Clutha River and its banks today for missing 36-year-old Balclutha woman, Shelley Marie Carson.

Search and rescue volunteers worked late into the night yesterday searching the riverbank west and east of the Balclutha Bridge.

Miss Carson was last seen on the riverbank west of Balclutha Bridge at about 3pm on Monday (23 May). A friend of Miss Carson notified the police late yesterday that she was missing.

Senior Sgt Richard Whitmore of Balclutha Police said the search today included a ground search of the river bank itself and a water search using four boats loaned from the Balclutha jet boating club to look for any signs of Miss Carson.

The initial search area is from Stirling Bridge up to the location of where Miss Carson's property, which included cell phones, medication and clothing, was found about 200m west of the Balclutha Bridge. The area where her clothing has been found had been cordoned off as part of Police operation.

A decision will be made today about whether or not the Police National Dive Squad will be called in to assist.

An inquiry team of eight police staff was also working to gather information about Miss Carson's activities over the past few days.

Miss Carson is described as a Caucasian woman of medium build, 169cm in height, with long dark hair. She was last seen wearing a black fleece top, blue jeans and blue zip-up shoes.

"Miss Carson appears to have been in a distressed state when she was last seen and we do hold grave concerns for her safety," Senior Sergeant Whitmore said.

ENDS
Media inquiries to Vivien Pullar, Communications Manager, Southern District on 027 556 1814.

Note to media: A further media release will be made at approximately 4pm today.