Fears of end to search

Jan 31 2008 by Katie Campling, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE search for a Huddersfield man in the Scottish Highlands could soon be called off.

Police, mountain rescue teams and RAF helicopter crews have been searching for 47-year-old Steven Cooper since his car was found on the A86 near Moy last Sunday.

Mr Cooper has been missing from his home in Golcar since his birthday on January 21.

His sister, Trish Cooper, of Brockholes, said: “The police have been fantastic. We just couldn’t have asked for anything else.

“But it’s looking like if nothing happens soon they will call the search off. We just don’t know what to do.”

Mr Cooper’s disappearance was discovered at about 5am on January 21 by his partner, Claire Lodge. She saw his Ford Focus car was missing and he had taken only his car keys.

Scottish police found his car near the isolated village of Moy – 20 miles west of Fort William – and launched a massive search.

It involved a Sea King helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth and mountain rescue teams.

They hunted for Mr Cooper in a 50-mile radius of where his car was found.

The search continued yesterday around the shores of Loch Laggan.

Mr Cooper’s brother, Christian, an officer with the Metropolitan Police, is in Scotland helping with the search, along with Mr Cooper’s stepfather Martin and his 19-year-old son Nathan.

Mr Cooper also has two stepchildren, 15-year-old Ian and Zoe, who is 18.

She said: “We all want to be up there searching, but people need to be here. Everybody’s extremely concerned.”

She said Mr Cooper has relatives in Dalkeith and Livingstone in Scotland, but had not contacted them.

He was fond of taking trips with his family to the country, especially Loch Ness.

But she said it was out of character for him to undertake the journey alone.

She said: “If he is out there and he doesn’t want to come home, fair enough. We would just like to hear from him and know he’s OK. His mum and stepdad are in a state; we all are.”

A police spokesman said the search was continuing. Police are very concerned for his wellbeing.

Anyone who may have seen Mr Cooper should phone Aviemore police station on 01479 810222.