Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Divers search canal for Moira’s remains
Police divers have begun searching Monkland canal as the search for the remains of Moira Anderson intensifies.
Buckets of mud and debris have been pulled from the waterway as investigators scoured the area to begin the second phase of their search.
D e t e c t i v e Sup e rintendent Patrick Campbell confirmed last week the canal in Carnbroe is the number one priority of six locations which may potentially be searched in the hunt for the 11- yearold who went missing 60 years ago.
Five expert s f rom various universities and organisations from across the UK have been drafted in to assist Police Scotland during the first phase of the canal search, which has produced five areas of interest to be examined over the coming days.
Ground penetrating radar, sonar scanning and magnetometry were all used to identify anomalies within the two metre thick silt layer beneath the surface.
With five distinct areas of anomalies having been found by the specialist resources, the second phase began on Monday with the divers searching the identified areas.
Last week, Detective Superintendent Campbell revealed anomalies may range from human remains to items of clothing as subtle as a button from a jacket.
DSI Campbell told the Advertiser: “The land round about the canal has not changed much in 60 years.
“We know it’s been dredged three times but that’s taken place only really at the sides of the Detective Superintendent Pat Campbell is heading up the search canal in general. We remain optimistic that we can recover her remains and bring closure to her family, but it will be challenging and we’ve explained that to both Moira’s sisters.”
In 2014, police announced bus driver and convicted paedophile Alexander Gartshore, who is now dead, would have faced prosecution, charged with killing Moira in February 1957.