DIVERS searching for a missing Skipton man have entered the River Ouse this afternoon.

Rory Johnson-Hatfield, had been staying at the Travel Lodge in Piccadilly and disappeared during a night out in York in the early hours of Friday.

Members of the Yorkshire and the Humber marine search unit had used sonar equipment throughout the day to check the riverbed, a standard practice before sending specially-trained divers into the water.

At just before 3pm, a member of the search team entered the river close to the Bonding Warehouse, to investigate a section of the river slightly upstream from there.

Members of York Rescue Boat accompanied the underwater search unit as a safety precaution, and North Yorkshire Police officers were seen on the balcony of a flat upstream from the Bonding Warehouse holding a line attached to a buoy in the water to indicate where the search should be focused.

Missing People spokesman Paul Joseph has urged the public to help find Rory Johnson-Hatfield and also issued a direct appeal to the 29-year-old.

He said: "Rory we are here for you whenever you are ready; we can listen, talk you through what help you need, pass a message for you and help you to be safe. Call. Text. Anytime. Free. Confidential. 116000."

He said Missing People, which was supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, ran a free, confidential and 24-hour helpline 116 000, to provide help and support to missing people and their families.

It also had a range of opportunities to publicise appeals for missing people thanks to its publicity partners.

"The public can help in the search by sharing our social media appeals, displaying posters available on our website and passing on sightings and information to our helpline," he added.

Friends and relatives issued emotional appeals last night for help in tracing him.

Missing posters have gone up in pubs, clubs, shops and walls across the city and dozens of people have posted their pleas on a special Facebook group, called Rory Johnson is missing!

The York Rescue Boat and a police underwater search unit's boat were used yesterday to search the Ouse and the Foss and their banks but to no avail.

Rory's father, Douglas Hatfield, has appealed for the public's help in tracing his son, whose full name he said was Rory Johnson-Hatfield, and who went missing early on Friday while on a night out with a friend in the city.

The Facebook group was set up to help spread the word, on the basis that someone might have a vital piece of information which could help police.

Elizabeth Martland posted: “I'm Rory's Aunty and we are distraught with worry, please, someone must know something of his whereabouts.”

Chris Parr of Cleckheaton wrote: “On our way back from York. Posters put everywhere pubs, clubs, shops, walls, the search continues. We WILL find you buddy. Thank you for everyone's support.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

This photo of Rory, right, was taken on Thursday night

Julie Allen said: “The lads have done a fantastic job and covered York in missing posters. Rest up now lads you've done yourselves proud - he's got amazing mates.”

Sherry Webb appealed for anyone in the Castle Mills/St George's field area in York to check their gardens, garages, outhouses and buildings, implying that one of the last sightings of Rory had been in this area.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said last night: "Police inquiries remain ongoing in the effort to locate Rory Johnson.

"The Humberside Police Underwater Search Unit and York Rescue Boat have completed their searches for the day. They will resume tomorrow morning when it is light.

"Rory’s family are being supported by officers at this very distressing time."

The force said Rory was last seen by his friend at 12.15am on Friday when he left the York Central Travelodge in Piccadilly, where they were staying the night.

“Rory never returned to the hotel and he failed to turn up for work in Skipton on Friday evening,” said a spokesman.

“His mobile phone is also going to answer phone and he has not been in contact with his family, which is out of character.

“Extensive police enquiries are ongoing to trace Rory and to establish his movements on Thursday evening and into the early hours of Friday morning.

“His friend said they were in The Postern Gate Wetherspoon pub from around 11.30pm on Thursday, but explained that Rory headed back out after returning to the nearby Travelodge for a short time at around midnight.

“One line of inquiry is that Rory may have got into difficulty while walking near the River Ouse in the City Mills and Skeldergate Bridge area after midnight.

“The Humberside Police Underwater Search Unit are carrying out searches in the Ouse throughout today to assist the missing person enquiry.”

  • Anyone who recalls seeing Rory or someone matching his description in York on Thursday evening or Friday is asked to phone police on 101, as soon as possible, quoting reference 1215020714.