Loch hunt for Steve
Jan 29 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
A DRAMATIC hunt for a missing Huddersfield man has switched hundreds of miles to the Scottish Highlands.
Police have brought in a helicopter and specialist search teams to scour an area around a picturesque loch.
They are hoping to find Steven Cooper, who vanished just hours after celebrating his 47th birthday with family and friends in Golcar.
Mr Cooper has not been seen since January 21.
But the hunt took a dramatic twist when his car was found close to Loch Laggan – on the edge of the Scottish Highlands, some 15 miles from Loch Ness.
Now police have revealed his Ford Focus car has been found near an isolated hamlet called Moy on the road to Kingussie, 20 miles east of Fort William.
A spokesman for the Northern Constabulary said: “Officers found a vehicle belonging to Mr Cooper on the A86 near Moy in the Loch Laggan area on Sunday afternoon and have been carrying out searches in the area.’’
An RAF search and rescue helicopter along with police dog handlers and specialist search team officers have been brought in to scour the area for any trace of Mr Cooper.
They are concentrating on the shoreline around Loch Laggan, in the woodland areas and in the hills.
Mr Cooper’s family woke to find him gone. He had only taken the car.
He has a 15-year-old stepson, Ian, who thought he heard a car drive off at about 3am.
Mr Cooper also has an 18-year-old stepdaughter, Zoe, and a son Nathan, who does not live with the family.
His frantic family and sister, Trish Cooper, are appealing for help in finding him.
Miss Cooper, of Brockholes, said previously: “It’s the first time he’s been missing. It’s extremely out of character for him.
“Everything was fine – he had no problems at home.
“We just want anyone who has seen him or the car to contact the police.”
The Northern Constabulary spokesman added: “Mr Cooper is vulnerable and we are concerned for his wellbeing.’’
Officers in Scotland are running the operation from Aviemore Police Station.
Share
