Major search for missing 45-year-old who vanished while walking her dog in Lancashire (original) (raw)

A major search is under way to find a 45-year-old woman from Inskip, Lancashire, who vanished while walking her dog.

Nicola Bulley was last seen three days ago - on Friday 27 January - at around 9.15am on a towpath by the River Wyre off Garstang Road in the village of St Michael's on Wyre.

Police say her mobile phone was found on a bench near the riverbank and they are "extremely concerned" about her, and have urged anyone with information to get in touch.

Update - Missing walker has 'two little girls that need their mummy home'

Emergency crews including Lancashire Police, Lancashire Fire and Rescue, Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue team and the North West Underwater Search Team have joined the search.

Police dive teams, fire service drones, search dogs, helicopters and mountain rescue volunteers have been sent to the area.

Specialist search officers drive a boat along the River Wyre where Lancashire Police are searching for missing woman Nicola Bulley, 45, who was last seen on the morning of Friday January 27, when she was spotted walking her dog on a footpath by the river in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire. Picture date: Monday January 30, 2023.

Image: Ms Bulley was walking her dog near the River Wyre when she disappeared

Lancashire Police earlier said Ms Bulley's dog - a brown Spaniel - was also found close to where she was last seen and hope this might help jog the memory of anyone who saw her and may have information relating to her whereabouts.

She is described as white, 5ft 3ins tall, with light brown shoulder-length hair and she speaks with an Essex accent.

Ms Bulley was last seen wearing a long black gilet jacket with a hood, black jeans and olive green ankle wellies. Her hair was tied into a ponytail.

As well as Inskip and St Michael's on Wyre, she also has links to Thornton Cleveleys.

In an update on Monday, Superintendent Sally Riley appealed for motorists who may have been driving through the area where Ms Bulley was last seen to come forward with any dash cam footage that could help officers.

The force said it is keeping an open mind about where she may be, and detectives investigating the circumstances around her disappearance are following a number of lines of enquiry.

A missing person notice attached to a gate in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, where officers from Lancashire Police are searching for Nicola Bulley, 45, from Inskip, Lancashire, who was last seen on the morning of Friday January 27, when she was spotted walking her dog on a footpath by the River Wyre. Picture date: Monday January 30, 2023.

Image: A major search is under way to find the missing 45-year-old

Chief Inspector Chris Barton had already urged the public to get in touch with officers "straightaway" if they had any information in an appeal on Sunday.

He added officers were aware a large number of people from the local community had organised a search of the area, and urged them to stay safe.

The River Wyre and its banks are extremely dangerous and searching these areas presents a genuine risk to the public, the force said.