The family of missing Bristol student Jack O’Sullivan have started a new search programme involving metal detectorists looking for his phone and other clues. Jack, 23, vanished after being last seen at 3.15 am on Saturday, March 2, in the Cumberland Basin area of Bristol.
The campaign group helping the family has now revealed that a team of detectorists has been searching an area following ‘recent findings’. It is unclear what those findings are, but phone company EE recently gave his family data about his missing phone.
Family friend and one of the campaign leaders, Jayne Caple, revealed details of the new search on the ‘Find Jack’ Facebook page. She posted: ”We’re very conscious that we are unusually quiet, so apologies for that.
”There are things happening in the background, and while we can’t go into much detail, we are keen to share. As a result of some of the recent findings, we have a search programme that started two weeks ago and will continue into December.
”There was a large-scale search two weekends ago involving a team of technicians with metal detectors. Pretty much the whole day was spent searching for any trace of Jack’s phone or any other of his possessions that could have been picked up by their equipment.
”Despite some heroic efforts and a lot of ground covered, nothing was found. Some of this team will be joining the dog handlers who will be back to cover the remaining areas over the course of several weekends in the run up to the end of the year.
”We aren’t able to be specific on the target areas for obvious reasons, we’re sure you will understand the reasons why not. Everything we are doing is planned and co-ordinated so while we really appreciate that some people want to do mass organised public searches, right now it wouldn’t be right due to the technical, specialist searches happening.
”I know Catherine, Alan and Ben want to extend their thanks for your help in getting them this far. And also if you are out walking they ask for you to be extra vigilant and search where you can and as safely as you can.
”And on behalf of us admins, thank you for your patience, support, encouragement and downright tenacity. We wouldn’t be anywhere without you. And the people involved in our searches to date – such generous, warm hearted and kind people, thank you x”.