UPDATED: Police, WightSAR and HM Coastguard will be carrying out a search on the Luccombe Road coastal path in Shanklin this week as part of a 6-month investigation into the disappearance of missing Robbie Gibson from London.
At 15:00 on Monday 13th June 2016, Robert Gibson, 45, left his home in Gipsy Hill, Norwood, Greater London and was seen later that day in the Co-operative store on Central Hill, Gipsy Hill.
At 18:45 on the same day, Police received a confirmed sighting of Robert catching the Wightlink catamaran from Portsmouth to Ryde. He is then believed to have boarded a train at Ryde Pier Head towards Lake and Shanklin. He has not been seen since.
Hampshire Constabulary, with the assistance of a specialist dog unit, will be searching the Luccombe area between 09:00 and 16:00 both today (Monday) and tomorrow, and between 09:00-12:00 on Wednesday. It is understood search teams prepped the area yesterday lunchtime.
Robert is described as white, 6ft tall, of slim build with grey / silver hair. He wears black rimmed Prada glasses. He was last seen wearing a blue / grey T-shirt with green/brown khaki trousers.
Detective Sergeant John Stirling, from Newport CID, said:
“Robert has been missing for a number of months now, and we are still keen to trace his steps.
“He was last seen in Co-op in Shanklin, and is known to enjoy coastal walks. We know that the coastal path near Luccombe Road is a particular route Robert has walked in the past during trips to the Isle of Wight.
Article continues below this advertisement “Officers have chosen to search the area now as it was too overgrown during the summer months when Robert was reported missing.
“We hope this search will provide us with additional evidence which may help us trace Robert.”
UPDATE @ 11:40 – WightSAR, the Island’s volunteer lowland search and rescue team, are conducting a search of Luccombe with the assistance of a specialist Police dog unit from the mainland.
Teams of volunteers have joined the search in a bid to bring closure to Mr Gibson’s family.
Public footpaths in the area remain open as normal.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Det Sgt John Stirling on 101, quoting 44160231297, or contact the charity Missing People on 116000.
