A Scots schoolgirl who vanished overnight in the Scottish Borders may have last been seen just a ‘20 minute walk from home’ before disappearing almost 24 hours ago. Investigators say an unconfirmed sighting of Kaitlyn Easson has been reported on Melrose Road in Galashiels shortly before 6pm on Sunday, February 5.
The 11-year-old had been out with friends before leaving the group and making her way towards the interchange in the town centre at around 5.45pm. A major search operation - including specialist crews on the River Tweed - remains ongoing in the town for the youngster as her ‘distressed’ family anxiously await news of her whereabouts.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Chief Superintendent Catriona Paton said they were “keeping an open mind” and that there is no suggestion that the girl has come to harm. She said: “At this moment in time, I have no information to suggest that Kaitlyn has come to harm and therefore, we are doing everything that we can to make sure that we trace her safe and well.
“As I'm sure you can imagine, her family is already experiencing incredible distress at the moment, so continuing to keep that open mind and continuing to keep focused on what we know will hopefully get us to the point where we trace her safe and well.”
Kaitlyn is believed to have her mobile phone on her - one line of inquiry police are following up on. Officers say they remain hopefully the girl will be traced safe and well.
Paton added: “Her mobile phone will be key to us and we’re currently carrying out investigations to understand the last time it was used, the last contact that was there and when we have any more information that we think will be helpful to put out, we will absolutely do that.
“Galashiels is a close knit community and she’s a schoolgirl who will be well known in this area. No items of clothing or belongings have been found at this time.
“The last sighting we have of Kaitlyn, she was on her own. She had been in the company of her friends but the last sighting we have, she’s on her own and the last potential one, walking in the direction of her home.
“Where she was last seen, it should be roughly a 20 minute walk from her home.
“We have every resource available to us working to trace her safe and well. I have no information at this time to suggest that Kaitlyn has come to any specific harm so we are continuing to keep an open mind and continuing to do all that we can to trace her safe and well.
“We will continue searching. We will continue investigating until we have done everything that we can to trace Kaitlyn safe and well and return her to her family.”
Speaking to the Record, family friend Nicola Forrest said: "We are all worried sick. They are searching the Boleside area of Galashiels at the moment and the helicopter is out too.
"Her mum can't physically speak just now as she's so upset and stressed. We have no idea where she could be, it is totally out of character for Kaitlyn. We are just trying to stay positive."
Fire and rescue teams with boats had sealed off an area on the banks of the River Tweed at Galafoot. Meanwhile volunteers are searching the banks of the River Tweed, opposite Abbotsford House.
Kaitlyn is described as being around 4ft 11, of a slim build with blond hair. She was last seen wearing a light or white-coloured jumper, dark trousers and dark shoes.
A special web portal for members of the public to lodge information has been launched. It can be found here.
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