Moorland search for missing girl, 19

[Daryl]

Moorland search for missing girl, 19 Retrieved from http://www.hebdenbridgetimes.co.uk/news/Moorland-search-for-missing-girl.5472837.jp

FEARS are growing for a teenager who was seen wandering a desolate stretch of moorland in Calderdale in torrential rain last night (Friday, July 17).
A huge search operation is still underway after the girl, aged around 19, was spotted by an elderly couple on Rudd Lane, Cragg Vale heading towards Stoodley Pike, Todmorden at 9.20pm last night.

The couple tried to talk to the girl, who was wearing just a black mini skirt, hooded top and fishnet tights, but she ignored them and headed off in the direction of Withens Clough Reservoir.

Police and the Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team using specialist rescue dogs spent until around 4am looking for the girl while a helicopter was also scrambled to the scene.

Despite the search being resumed at first light, there is still no sign of her.

Chief Insp Mark Allsop of Calderdale police, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are pouring all our available resources into finding her but there is no further sign at the moment.

"We are concerned somebody may have been up there as a courting couple and had an argument and if this is the case we need them to get in touch with us as soon as possible to let us know they are ok.

"It was foul up there last night, the rain was horizontal."

Calder Valley Search and rescue member Mick Smith, 49, who was part of the search team last night, said: "The conditions were grim, it was pouring down and the ground was very treacherous underfoot.

"I would be very concerned for anyone in those conditions especially without proper equipment."

The search was set to resume with additional support today (Saturday).