On Thursday 18th May the team was contacted by Greater Manchester Police to ask for assistance to search Seven Acres park in Bolton for a person who had not been seen for a number of days. The Police and family are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare.

Sebastien Smiltneek who lived local to Seven Acres park has not been seen since leaving his home address on 10th May.

This morning, fourteen team members met at the southern end of Seven Acres Park, including Support Group Member Dave Rees, who assisted in setting up the team catering trailer. The team used the car park of the Wildlife Trust on Bury Road. A number of search areas were identified, with team members deployed into these areas to search for the missing man.

Towards the end of this search the team was called to Cadshaw Castle Rocks to assist a fallen climber. See Incident 35/2017. On completion of this incident, the team returned to complete the allocated search areas.

The team searched all areas of the park without any significant finds.

The team was also assisted by a local 10 year old child called Lincoln, who showed great interest in what the team was doing and stayed at the control location throughout our search.

Lincoln ensuring the mast descended correctly

Thanks to the Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust for the use of their car park and facilities on Bury Road.

Police inquiries continue.

If anybody has further information on the whereabouts of Sebastien Smiltneek, please call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.