A dive team and a Met Police dog unit have joined the search for Sebastian Sailes.
Avon and Somerset Police divers were deployed in the River Avon in Chippenham on Monday (10 March), and returned today (Tuesday) to continue their operations in the water.
The 21-year-old man was last seen walking into Lovers Walk, having left The Black Horse pub at around 11.30pm on Thursday 27 February – nearly two weeks ago.
Peter Faulding, who is known for his work on the Nicola Bulley investigation, was also on scene with his Specialist Group International rescue team.
The underwater search expert took a boat onto the river and deployed a sonar scanning device at around 5.30pm.
Throughout Monday, and for most of today, a specialist Avon and Somerset Police dive team have been searching the water – both by diving and walking along the river with sticks and other devices.
The Metropolitan Police Service has also provided support by way of three dog handlers, who arrived at the scene in a large dog van. They came armed with spaniels and labradors, trained for searching.
The family of Sebastian Sailes issued a heartfelt statement via Wiltshire Police on 5 March.
They said: “We are a very close family and are all extremely anxious and praying for the safe return of our much-loved son Sebastian.
“We are unbelievably grateful for the efforts of the police and all the amazing volunteers.
“The public support has been heart-warming, and we appeal to anyone who may have information to contact Wiltshire Police immediately, in the hope that our beautiful boy is returned to us safe and sound.”
At the same time, County Chief Inspector Ben Huggins added: “We continue to appeal for anyone who may have seen Sebastianor have knowledge of his whereabouts to get in touch.
“Many of our enquiries have taken place around the river but we are also investigating the possibility that he has made his way towards Rowden Hill and through the new estates.
“If you live in that area and you have any Ring Doorbell footage from around the time he disappeared to check it for any sign of him.”
He continued: “Delivery drivers or taxi drivers would also have been out in Chippenham at around that time and we would please ask that you check your Dash Cams for any sign of him.
“I would also like to thank the volunteers from Wiltshire Search and Rescue and other search agencies from the south who have come to the area for the time and energy they have put into the search for missing Seb.”
