16 March 2024 , 11:49
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The mystery of what has happened to a young woman who vanished in a national park over two months ago has grown as a massive extension of a police search has failed to yield any clues.
Annie Dryden boarded a train in Middlesborough on Thursday, January 4, before getting off at a rural hamlet in the North York Moors. The 20-year-old hasn't been since, with fears she may have gotten into trouble hiking in the remote moorland or even that she could even be in London.
The investigation was first launched by Cleveland Police, but transferred to the force in North Yorkshire after CCTV emerged of Annie getting off the train in the small hamlet of Battersby. Today marks two months since the investigation was ramped up to include a larger search area over to the village of Castleton, near Whitby.
Her family has already issued a desperate plea, saying, "you don’t need to come home, we just need to know you are ok". But the Mirror understands that despite a huge effort by North Yorkshire Police, which has been leading the search alongside mountain rescue teams, no significant developments have occurred.
Annie was seen on CCTV walking along Marton Road in Middlesbrough before catching a train to Battersby (Evening Gazette)
Officers said they are concerned for her welfare and are continuing to appeal for information (Evening Gazette)Annie was seen on footage boarding a train at Middlesborough's James Cook Hospital shortly after 2pm on January 4, before getting off at Battersby around half an hour later.
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As well as the North York Moors, questions were also raised over whether Annie could have somehow travelled to London after it emerged she had connections in the Sidcup area of the capital. However, police said North Yorkshire remained the focus of their search.
A statement issued by Annie's family said: “We love you and we miss you but we also understand there were events coming up at home which were causing you upset. These have now passed. So many people are worried about you, we are receiving so many messages from those concerned about you. Please just get in touch with someone.”
Police scour the North York Moors for missing Annie (North Yorkshire Police SWNS)Local councillor Heather Moorhouse, who lives a mile from where Annie was last sighted, previosuly said that everyone from horse riders to rambling groups had been helping emergency services in the hunt. “I know the people in Battersby - it's a tiny place and there are no buses,” she told The Mirror.
“If she left Battersby, it was either by train or by foot. I know the local shooters and horse riders have been helping the mountain rescue team. They've had drones out and helicopters searching. The police have done a tremendous job so far but of course there are fears for her safety in this bad weather.”
Map of the search area for missing Annie DrydenLast month a major effort saw outdoor enthusiasts scouring the countryside as they took to the moors. Their endeavour was praised by Annie's family with one member telling The Mirror: “The only message I can give is thank you to everyone and please can everyone keeping sharing anything they see and keeping eyes out.” However the searching failed to yield any positive results.
The college where Annie had been studying also pitched in to keep the inquiry in the public eye. Dr Martin Raby, Principal at The Northern School of Art, said: "As a college, we are deeply concerned about Annie, one of our former successful students, who has been missing for some time now.
"The safety of Annie is of concern to all our staff and many current students who are worried about her wellbeing. We would urge anyone who has had any contact from Annie, or may have any information, please contact the police directly. We all hope Annie returns safely as soon as possible."
Anyone with information on Annie's whereabouts is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police.