A diving expert who searched for Nicola Bulley is helping the heartbroken family of a grandmother who it is believed was swept to her death in a swollen river, as they launch a new hunt for her body six months after she disappeared.
Hazel Nairn, 71, vanished in November last year after falling into the River Don while attempting to walk home with her West Highland terrier dog amid severe weather.
Her daughter, Anneka Gray, found the body of her mum’s dog five days after the tragedy, but no trace of former air hostess Hazel was ever found despite an extensive search by Police Scotland and local volunteers.
Now Hazel’s daughter has made a renewed appeal for help to find her mum. She says family and friends plan to use kayaks to search the banks of the River Don throughout May, as well as asking walkers to keep their eyes peeled on coastal paths and even beaches.
She said the family were feeling more optimistic about finding her after receiving the advice of specialist diver Peter Faulding.
Ms Gray posted on social media: “Still no sign of my mum - not one single trace since that awful day. Experts say she is more than likely to be still in the river, but we just can’t rule anything out.
“Any trace of her could be anywhere. We are getting into the water ourselves on kayaks throughout May.
“Anyone experienced that can do that with us - or anywhere on the River Don or even just walk the river side again - is a help. We have got help from Peter Faulding, so I am feeling more optimistic.”
Officers from Police Scotland’s Dive and Marine Unit joined other specialist resources in searching for Hazel after she was spotted in the River Don, near to Monymusk, at around 3pm on Friday, 18 November, 2022.
She was last seen being carried downstream toward Aberdeen. Her family said they were desperate to find any trace of Hazel, who was wearing distinctive wellies with tartan, when she plunged into the fast flowing water.
Specialist diver Peter Faulding spent several days assisting in the search for Nicola Bulley who disappeared on the banks of the River Wyre, Lanacashire, in January.
After her body was located in nearby reeds, he said the high-tech £55,000 sonar his firm used can only scan in the water and cannot travel through reeds.
His firm Specialist Group International had previously helped in several high profile investigations.
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