Published: October 25, 2011
Huge search in Burnham-On-Sea area for missing 79 year-old woman

These were the scenes in West Huntspill on Tuesday (October 25th) when a huge search was underway for a vulnerable 79-year-old woman who was reported missing from her Highbridge home.

A police helicopter, search dogs and crews from Burnham Coastguard, BARB, the RNLI, and Avon Search and Rescue joined forces to try and find Edith Batten, who was last seen at 11am on Sunday (October 23rd).

Police told Burnham-On-Sea.com there had been one possible sighting of a woman answering Edith's description in the West Huntspill area but they were keeping an open mind as to her location.

"She went missing before but always had been found within 24 hours, so police were very concerned," police spokesman Wayne Baker told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

Edith (pictured right) is described as a white woman, aged 79, 5'4" tall and with a slim build and greying auburn hair.

She was last seen wearing a blue fleece with a small logo of some description on the top of the left sleeve, a brown mottled scarf and light-coloured shoes and she was carrying a white handbag. Police said she may appear confused or bewildered. The search was called off on Tuesday evening.

Click here for the sad outcome to this story

BARB's inshore rescue boat joined the search for the missing woman along the banks of the River Huntspill

Coastguards and BARB crews conducted a foot search of the area

Burnham RNLI's lifeboats searched the shoreline for any sight of the missing lady