Missing Teen's Family 'Overwhelmed' By Support

15 March 2016, 14:27 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

The father of a missing teenager whose disappearance has been linked to reports of a woman in the River Clyde said he has been "completely overwhelmed'' by the support his family has received.

Sarah Goldie, 18, was reported missing from her home in Renfrew at about 11.40pm on Friday after leaving earlier in the day to go to Glasgow.

That evening, emergency services responded to reports of a woman in the water close to Broomielaw near the city's King George V Bridge. Two men had jumped into the river to help her but the woman was not traced.

Miss Goldie's father Gordon Goldie said on Tuesday: "Complete strangers risked their own lives to try and save who I believe was Sarah on Friday night and we will never, ever be able to truly express our gratitude to them for their actions.''

He had earlier made an appeal on social media in which he said: "Our lives have been torn apart by this in a way that you could never imagine.''

Police Scotland said the search for the teenager, who was last seen being dropped off by a taxi in Torridon Drive, Dean Park, Renfrew, at around 6pm on Friday, is continuing.

Officers are also continuing to search the River Clyde, close to the area where reports of a woman being in the water were received on Friday at around 7.40pm.

Police earlier said Miss Goldie's bag was found near to the area of the incident at the Clyde.

Mr Goldie added: "Our whole family has been completely overwhelmed by the very kind words, calls and messages that we have received from both friends and strangers around the world.

"Yesterday's appeal on Facebook has had over 22,000 shares and has been very helpful to the police. If you have not shared this already, can you please do so as soon as possible?

"We are once again asking for anyone who may have any information that they think may be slightly useful, or anyone who saw Sarah at any time on Friday in Renfrew or Glasgow during the day or evening, to please contact Police Scotland via 101, or speak to any police officer.''

Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland said: "We have had a good response from the public about the young woman in the water. We are following a number of lines of inquiry with regard to identifying who she is.

"Our specialist marine policing unit and divisional officers are continuing to search the River Clyde today.

"So far we have had no further reports of Sarah having been seen in Renfrew on Friday. It is vital that we find out where she went after being dropped off by taxi in Torridon Drive, Dean Park, Renfrew.

"Officers have been checking CCTV, bus and taxi companies and with local business in the area to try and piece together her movements. If you saw her, or have any information that will assist our inquiries, then please get in touch.

"This is a horrendously distressing situation for Sarah's family and friends and officers are in close contact with the family to keep them informed.''

She is described as white, 5ft 6in, of medium build, with brown eyes and sandy/strawberry blond straight hair. She was wearing a khaki green Parka-type jacket with a fur-trimmed hood and was carrying a cherry red handbag.