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Missing Kells cyclist’s last journey retraced

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Search teams are continuing their search for Kells cyclist Sam Campbell who has been missing since he left home for a cycle ride on New Year’s Day

POLICE have carried out a reconstruction of the last known journey of missing Kells cyclist, Samuel Thompson, who has not been seen since he left his home for a bike ride on New Year's Day.
An extensive land, sea and air search has been carried out along the East Antrim coastline since Mr Thompson's bike was found near Glenarm last week.
Police retraced Samuel's cycle route yesterday on Sunday, exactly a week after his disappearance, in an attempt to jog the memory of anyone who may have passed him on New Year's Day.
Inspector Bob Blemmings said: "It's been a very difficult week for Sam's family and friends. We are working hard to find out what has happened to Sam and to see him re-united with his family.
"On Sunday, we conducted a revisit of the cycle route we know Sam to have taken last Sunday.
"Our aim has been to try and jog the memories of any members of the public who may have seen Sam so that they can bring that information forward and help us with our inquiries.
"Sam was last seen wearing a red top with the symbol TCG, black cycling leggings and cycle glasses.
"We are appealing for anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant, to come forward and help us with our inquiries.
"It would also be important for anyone who was cycling in the area and wearing similar clothing to Mr Campbell around the time of his disappearance, to contact us so they can be eliminated from our inquiry."
The reconstruction began at Tully Road, Kells at 2.00pm and stopped at Main Street, Broughshane, 'The Sheddings' and the Ballymena Road/Coast Road junction in Carnlough.
Police arrived in Glenarm at approximately 3.30pm after Samuel's bike was discovered propped against a wall, a mile outside the village last Tuesday night.
Family and friends of the 49 year old joined rescue workers, including the Red Bay RNLI, as they attempted to track the whereabouts of the missing cyclist.
Heavy winds have hampered the search and rescue operation throughout the week but volunteers have been determined to do what they can to find the husband and father.
It has been noted that it would be very unusual for Mr Campbell not to contact his family and police are following a number of lines of inquiry including that Mr Campbell had become ill or had had an accident.
Detective Inspector Blemmings said Mr Campbell was an experienced cyclist and would often cover about 20 to 30 miles on his bike rides.
Extensive searches of the Ballymena area, including Kells, Clough, Ahoghill and Cullybackey have been carried out by police officers, sniffer dogs, coastguard, mountain rescue, the RNLI and community volunteers.
Two lifeboats from the RNLI undertook an intensive shoreline search from Garron Point to Ballygally last Wednesday, despite inclement weather and Red Bay RNLI helm Paddy McLaughlin explained: "We looked from the sea side and out to sea as well along Glenarm Bay. Conditions weren't great with a westerly breeze blowing and a force 5 to 6. Intermittent showers also made visibility challenging."
Detective Inspector Bob Blemmings said police were still treating it as a search for a missing person and were "extremely concerned" about Mr Campbell.
He said: "Thank you to all who has been involved in the search for Sam; our partners in coastguard and RLNI and indeed the many members of the public.
“It's been a difficult week for the teams involved in the search, in particular the weather has made searching difficult and at times dangerous."
He also urged landowners in the greater Ballymena area to check their property in case he may have taken unwell along his cycle route.
Police have released an image of Mr Campbell and on his last sighting he was wearing a red top with the letters T.C.G. printed with black tracksuit bottoms. Samuel is around 6 foot tall, of a slim build with short dark hair.
Anyone who may have seen Mr Campbell in the Coast Road area of Glenarm on Sunday afternoon or who has information which could assist them is urged to contact police on 0845 600 8000.

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