Massive search operation fails to find missing man, 42

By aali alex ali aali@heraldexpress.co.uk

A 'TROUBLED' Torbryan man remains missing despite a major search and rescue operation yesterday in South Devon.

Police divers and Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group combed two picturesque areas in the continued search for Simon Jay, 42, who has not been seen since he left his home on December 12.

But as darkness fell both the search and rescue teams in the South Hams and police divers searching ponds near his home confirmed they had not found him.

The operation began at Berry Pomeroy Castle's woods and was overseen by Inspector Phil Chivers and started at 10am.

PC Simon Last briefed the Ashburton-based rescue team in freezing conditions yesterday morning at the castle's car park.

Seven Search and Rescue Dog Association trained animals and their handlers were released into the three kilometre long by one kilometre wide search area, which was split into two sections at 10.30am.

Insp Chivers said Mr Jay was 'troubled' at the time of his disappearance and the fact he had not contacted his family or friends was 'totally out of character'.

PC Last appealed for the public to get in touch if they knew where Simon was, adding: "His knowledge of the area and the fact that he was walking implies he maybe living in the woods."

He added there were lots of leads pointing in different directions as to Simon's whereabouts.

Insp Chivers added the police would continue to search until they were satisfied there was 'a degree of closure' if Simon was not found.

At midday at Ambrook Farm, just south of Mr Jay's Torbryan home, police divers entered a frozen pond searching for the missing man who is a Taoist.

A layer of ice covering the pond where water temperatures were just above freezing was broken by a police diver using a knife as the 'systematic and methodical' search started.

Wearing dry suits and full face masks, divers swept the 60 metre by 20 metre wide pond in three sections.

Sgt Andy Thompson, from the Plympton Tactical Aid Group and Under Water Search Unit, explained the water temperature was at three degrees and the deepest part of the pond was three metres.

"Although we are searching for a body, it is just one line of inquiry that police are currently looking at."

He explained that this week police divers would return to inspect a larger pond nearby.

Described as 6ft tall and of slim build, Mr Jay has short, thick, red hair and a beard and wears black-rimmed spectacles.

Mr Jay was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt, a navy blue long-sleeved top, a blue knee-length jacket and blue Chinos.

Anyone who has any information as to Mr Jay's whereabouts should call police on 08452 777 444 quoting log number 368 13/12/09.