Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Regiment joins search for missing tourist

First Prev 1 2 Next Last
William Grange

By Gareth Finighan and Owain Johnston-Barnes

The search for missing tourist William Grange continued today, with volunteers taking to the land, sea and air.

Police and volunteers were joined by Bermuda Regiment soldiers, Customs officers and prison wardens as the search for the 67-year-old, who hasn’t been seen since last Friday.

A police spokesman confirmed that more than 100 volunteers — including residents and visitors — had swelled the ranks of the search party, along with the staff of Bermuda Aerial Media (BAM), who took the search to the skies using their camera-equipped DJI S800 miniature helicopter.

Connor Burns of BAM said: “It’s pretty heart wrenching, seeing this happen to a tourist or anybody. He comes down here for a few days and this happens. The fact that he still hasn’t been found is just not right.”

He said they joined the search on Tuesday, using the helicopter to search hard to reach wooded areas and the coastline to the northern side of Cambridge Beaches.

“If he’s hiding in a shed, obviously the helicopter isn’t going to be very useful, but if he was going for a hike and got stuck, if he slipped on the rocks and wound up in a crevice, that’s where we could be very useful.”

Two police Marine Unit boats with a contingent of family members began a boat-to-boat search of moored vessels in the Mangrove Bay area.

In addition, 30 land-based police officers along with several police cadets are now conduct further searches in various areas. All hospital facilities have been checked without success and officers continue to follow up on all alleged sightings of the visitor Island-wide. Police sniffer dogs have also been deployed in the search.

Cambridge Beaches staff and guests have also continued to search for Mr Grange and resort managers have been calling on volunteers for support.

“We have had a great response from our calls for volunteers, for our scheduled 11am and 6pm community searches at Cambridge Beaches,” director Alexis Roberts said.

“We would like to notify the public that we will continue to have these scheduled community searches, until further notice. For anyone interested in assisting Cambridge Beaches staff and the Grange family, please meet at the front reception area.

“Please remain vigilant as every set of eyes is critical. Many thanks to the community for their continued support, during this difficult time.”

Mr Grange was staying at the Cambridge Beaches resort in Sandys when he went missing after going for a walk at around 10pm last Friday. The retired lawyer suffers from short-term memory loss and requires daily medication for his condition. Police have classified the search as high priority.

The search has gained international attention, with Toronto newspaper The Star highlighting the efforts to locate Mr Grange.

He was last seen wearing beige pants, a blue shirt, brown jacket and brown shoes. He is described as a white male, 5ft 9in tall, with white hair and by now likely a few days beard growth.

Anyone who may have seen or who may have any information on the whereabouts of Mr Grange is urged to contact the main police telephone number 295-0011 immediately, reporting all relevant information.

Aerial Photography — Connor Burns and EJ Burrows (Photo by Mark Tatem)