Police have not given up on hiker missing in Pyrenees, says partner

THE partner of a British hiker who went missing in the Pyrenees has said the investigation into her disappearance is continuing despite reports police had suspended the search.

Esther Dingley, 37, had been walking solo in the mountains near the Spanish and French border and was last seen on November

22. Daniel Colegate said: “Regarding recent media coverage and comments by a member of the French police, my response is to restate my gratitude and respect for the hard work the police forces and the search and rescue teams in both France and Spain have already carried out and plan to continue with in the future.

“I have been in close contact with the lead investigator in both countries since early December.

“Upon reading the recent articles, I contacted the major in the French police who is in charge of the investigation to ask if these comments reflect the official position of his team.

“His response was to reassure me that the investigation is ongoing.

“As I’ve said before, I’m aware of the challenges the police face in this investigation and I trust their abilities and determination.”

Mr Colegate, 38, had been hiking with Ms Dingley but was house-sitting at a French farmhouse on November 22 when she went missing.

Last week, French police captain Jean Marc Bordinaro told The Times newspaper that “all possible investigations” in French territory have been carried out “without any result”.

He said: “We have no indication permitting us to confirm the presence of Esther Dingley in France since she was seen for the last time on the Spanish side of the Pic de Sauvegarde.

“We’ll probably have to wait till spring to undertake more searches.”

Mr Colegate said he intends to return to the area as soon as the weather permits.