RELIEF AS MISSING KAITLYN IS FOUND
Youngster who disappeared while out with friends is back home after massive search
MISSING schoolgirl Kaitlyn Easson was last night found safe and well after a massive search operation.
Kaitlyn had last been seen just a “20-minute walk from home” before disappearing in Galashiels on Sunday night.
She was reported missing in the early hours of Monday, with police conducting a search of the nearby River Tweed as they raced to trace the schoolgirl.
But late last night the force confirmed Kaitlyn had been found.
The force said in a statement: “We can confirm Kaitlyn Easson reported missing from Galashiels has been traced safe and well.
“Thank you to all who shared our appeals.”
Kaitlyn had been out with friends before leaving the group and making her way towards the interchange in the town centre at around 5.45pm.
A major search operation – including specialist crews – scoured the River Tweed and Gala Water in the hunt for the youngster.
At a press conference earlier yesterday, Chief Superintendent Catriona Paton said they were “keeping an open mind” and that there was no suggestion Kaitlyn has come to harm.
She said: “At this moment in time, I have no information to suggest that Kaitlyn has come to harm and therefore, we are doing everything we can to make sure we trace her safe and well.
“As I’m sure you can imagine, her family is already experiencing incredible distress at the moment, so continuing to keep that open mind and continuing to keep focused on what we know will hopefully get us to the point where we trace her safe and well.”
They said Kaitlyn was believed to have her mobile phone on her – one line of inquiry police are following up on.
Paton added: “Her mobile phone will be key to us and we are currently carrying out investigations to understand the last time it was used, the last contact that was there and when we have any more information that we think will be helpful to put out, we will absolutely do that.
“Galashiels is a close knit community and she’s a schoolgirl who will be well known in this area.
“We will continue searching. We will continue investigating until we have done everything we can to trace Kaitlyn safe and well and return her to her family.”
Speaking to the Record, family friend Nicola Forrest said: “We are all worried sick.
“Her mum can’t physically speak just now as she’s so upset and stressed. We have no idea where she could be, it is totally out of character for Kaitlyn. We are just trying to stay positive.”
A special web portal for members of the public to lodge information was launched.