Underwater search expert Peter Faulding has started to scan the River Avon in Chippenham with a sonar device as the search for Sebastian Sailes continues.
The 21-year-old went missing after leaving The Black Horse Pub in the town centre at around 11.30pm on Thursday 27 February – twelve days ago.
Police have been carrying out searches on land and in the water – but are yet to find Sebastian. Now, the diver who claims he found Nicola Bulley within six minutes has joined the hunt.
Peter Faulding and his Specialist Group International (SGI) team arrived in Chippenham this morning (Monday) and have carried out searches along the river throughout the day.
However, due to Avon and Somerset Police having deployed divers into the water, SGI were unable to start sonar scanning work until around 5.30pm.
It’s understood that police are liaising with SGI for safety reasons – but are not directly involved in their activities.
Following the search for Nicola Bulley, a College of Policing report said police felt some of Peter Faulding’s behaviour “caused challenges to the investigation”.
But he remains adamant that he found Nicola in the water using sonar equipment shortly after starting the search, and says police failed to view or act on the sonar data.
It has not yet been confirmed who – if anyone – asked for assistance from SGI.
In a heartbreaking statement by Sebastian’s family 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 Sebastian or 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.”
