A MASSIVE search operation has been launched for a man missing since Wednesday morning.
Concern is growing for Michael Murphy, 32, from Mold, after his car was found abandoned on the Flintshire Bridge, which runs from Deeside Industrial Estate to Flint crossing the River Dee.
Mr Murphy was last seen leaving the Convatec factory where he worked on Deeside Industrial Estate at about 6am on Wednesday and he has not made contact with his family or friends since.
A major search was launched on Wednesday night with the authorities searching the river as well as the land around the bridge.
Yesterday police divers were searching the water around the jetty next to the old John Summers headquarters.
Detective Inspector Alun Oldfield said: “I appeal to anyone who has seen Michael or who knows of his whereabouts to contact police immediately.
“I particularly urge anyone who left the Deeside Industrial Estate or who was travelling into work to think back and to contact us immediately if they recall seeing the red coloured car, if they recall seeing anyone leaving the car or walking near or on the bridge.”
Mr Murphy’s car – a red Volkswagen Polo with the registration number S412 RTG – was recovered from the westbound carriageway of the bridge at about 2pm on Wednesday after it was reported by a member of the public.
Det Insp Oldfield added: “Inquiries are well underway and searches are being conducted of the river embankments.
“River conditions have not been favourable for searching, but the water area is being searched in spite of the adverse weather conditions.”
Search teams include police divers, North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR), the Liverpool Coastguard, Flint Lifeboat, North West Air Operations Unit and the National Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA).
Flint Lifeboat volunteers were called to assist police at about 11.15pm on Wednesday.
The boat was launched at Connah’s Quay at 11.30pm, but the search had to be abandoned just over an hour later due to the terrible weather conditions.
Alan Forrester, Flint RNLI volunteer lifeboat operations manager, said: “The conditions on the river were atrocious, launch and recovery were very difficult.
“Visibility was poor and the wind was gusting force five to seven. The lifeboat searched the area around the Flintshire Bridge, but as weather conditions deteriorated it was recalled and returned to Flint.”
It was relaunched yesterday at about 11.30am, searching from Connah’s Quay to Flint, Flint to the Flintshire Bridge and railway bridge at Queensferry, and back to Connah’s Quay.
It ended its search in the afternoon after nothing was found, but police teams continued to scour the area.
Richard Polden, from Flint RNLI, said: “They are going back out again tomorrow to work with the police underwater team.”
NEWSAR was also called to assist at about 10.30am yesterday, but was stood down in the afternoon.
Mr Murphy is described as being white, about 5ft10in, of medium build with short fair hair, which is balding. It is unclear what he was wearing at the time he went missing.
Anyone with information should call North Wales Police on 101.
- Last night as darkness fell North Wales Police confirmed they had halted the search but would resume it in the morning.
Other lines of inquiry were continuing through the night.
- A GROUP has been set up on social networking site Facebook to trace Mr Murphy.
Stephen McEvoy wrote: “Come on Murphy, get home safe.”