Police divers join search for missing mum
Family make appeal for her return
THE family of a deaf mother of four who vanished after a night out have made an emotional appeal for her return.
Their plea came as police divers began searching a stretch of the Clyde near where she was last seen.
Concern has been growing for Kirsty Aitchison, who left the Campus Bar in Glasgow around 3am on Sunday after reportedly arguing with another woman.
Minutes later, Miss Aitchison was seen on CCTV walking barefoot along the Broomielaw wearing a black top, cream skirt and carrying her black high heels.
CCTV images released by the police showed the missing woman walking down Sauchiehall Street to Argyle Street and James Watt Street before reaching the Broomielaw.
She was seen there around 3.16am ‘walking quickly and with purpose’.
Since then, the 30-year-old has not been in touch with family or friends and detectives say her disappearance is ‘completely out of character’.
Her family met senior officers yesterday for an update on the inquiry and later her mother Fay Aitchison broke down as she spoke about the strain her daughter’s disappearance had caused the family.
She said: ‘While this is a very difficult time for us all as we wait in hope to hear from Kirsty, I would personally like to thank all her friends, family members and people from the deaf community who have been busy raising awareness of the fact that my lovely daughter is missing.
‘The sharing of information and searching areas for Kirsty is very much appreciated by us all. The police are speaking to us contin- ually with updates on their search for Kirsty and we hope to have her returned to us safe and well as we miss her terribly.’
A friend added: ‘Somebody out there must know something; where Kirsty is or whatever. As time goes on, we are getting a wee bit more concerned. We remain very hopeful.’
It is believed she was walking towards the Grosvenor Casino on the Clyde and a police spokesman yesterday confirmed they were using ‘specialist resources’ in the Broomielaw area.
A small crowd gathered near the casino as police divers began searching around 11am as the hunt for Miss Aitchison entered its fourth day.
One onlooker, who declined to be named, said: ‘There was a boat where a few police dived off into the river.
‘They searched the area between the casino and the M8 for a long time.’
Inspector Stuart Clemenson said officers were continuing to carry out inquiries, review other CCTV footage and use specialist resources, including divers and a police helicopter, to search for Miss Aitchison.
He urged anyone with any information to call police on 101 or contact a dedicated email address: kirstyenquiry@ scotland.pnn.police.uk.