Police in Aberdeenshire have called off searches for a grandmother who was swept into a river during major flooding. Hazel Nairn, 71, was last seen in the River Don in her home village of Monymusk, 20 miles west of Aberdeen, on Friday, November 18.
Torrential rain and flooding had battered the region around the time of Hazel's disappearance. Specialist search and rescue teams scoured miles of the river but were unable to turn up any trace of the beloved gran - and the search of the water has since been called off.
Tragically, her pet dog Rory was found a few days into the search, having been swept away with her. Although police have called off their "extensive and detailed searches", Sergeant Andy Peerless told Aberdeen Live that the investigation into her disappearance is ongoing.
Sgt Peerless said: "The investigation continues to trace 71-year-old Hazel Nairn who was last seen in the water in the River Don near to Monymusk on Friday, November 18, 2022. Our thoughts are very much with Hazel's family at what is still a very difficult time for them and we appreciate how hard it must be for them. Officers will continue to support them."
He added: "Extensive and detailed searches have been carried out using local and national specialist police resources, including the dive and marine unit, police dogs and air support, and those of partner agencies.
"These have now concluded but enquiries will be ongoing to trace Hazel. Anyone with information that could assist officers should call 101, quoting incident number 2209, of Friday, November 18, 2022."
At the time of the incident, Hazel was wearing a long khaki puffer jacket, blue leggings and blue wellington boots with tartan on the side. Anneka Gray, Hazel's daughter, previously told how she and her family were "lost without" Hazel.
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