Boats have been deployed in the search for missing Fiona Edson today (Saturday).
Search and rescue teams are scouring the River Avon in Chippenham following the 51-year-old’s disappearance in the Monkton Park area on Sunday, 25 June.
The Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA), alongside Wiltshire Search and Rescue (WILSAR), are working to establish if she entered the water.
Locals have repeatedly called for police divers to be deployed in the river – but it’s understood a dive group cannot be deployed unless a specific area of interest is identified.
Fiona, who was travelling on a mobility scooter, was last seen at around 1pm – sparking an overnight helicopter search. The following day, a major operation was launched to locate her.
Despite extensive searches by Wiltshire Police, which has utilised its general-purpose dogs every day and drafted in specially-trained officers, there are no further clues.
Wiltshire Police hasn’t provided a public statement on the ongoing operation since Wednesday when Detective Inspector Mark Kent appealed to the public to cast their minds back that day.
He said: “We are extremely concerned about Fiona’s welfare and we are continuing to provide support to her family as our searches continue.
“We understand Fiona left her home on her mobility scooter, although she does have limited mobility and can walk short distances. Officers have been working round the clock alongside volunteers from WiLSAR to try and locate Fiona.”
DI Kent added: “We would like to thank the members of the public who have already contacted us with information following our public appeals and we would urge anyone who was in the Monkton Park area on Sunday afternoon to cast their mind back.
“Did you see a woman matching Fiona’s description on a mobility scooter? What direction was she heading in? Did anything appear out of the ordinary?
“Any information you have, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, could be vital.”
Anyone with information should call 101 and quote log number 342 of June 25 or 999 in an emergency.
