THE head of a specialist dive squad searching for missing Nicola Bulley has claimed it is “impossible” that her body could have reached the sea.
Specialist Group International (SGI) have been scouring “large areas” of water for the mum 11 days after she vanished.
Lancashire Police said previously their “main working hypothesis” is that Nicola had “sadly fallen in the river”.
Supt Sally Riley claimed there may have been an “issue” with dog Willow that led Nicola to the edge of the water.
But extensive searches have been so far unsuccessful – and Peter Faulding of SGI believes it is “ulikely” she will be found there.
And he claims there is “no way” she could have reached the sea.
He told GB News: “We’ve been using the high frequency side scan sonar in this stretch today and it’s so detailed I can even see every stone of it. She’s not in this stretch.
“We also sonar-ed on the other side down yesterday in the tidal river. Now if you take a football on a tidal river…when the tide goes out the the ball will go down the stream and then as soon as the tide turns it will come back in again. It’ll end up back at the same place.
“For Nicola to get out to the sea would be impossible, literally, it is such a long way.”
Lancashire Police today confirmed they are keeping an “open mind” but said they still believe Nicola fell in the river.
Supt Sally Riley said the force has not yet detected a “suspicious” element in Nicola’s disappearance.
She added: “Every third party element or criminal element has been looked into and discounted.”
In a press conference today, the officer also warned amateur detectives from trespassing in empty properties as the search reaches its 11 day.
And she urged the public not to “take matters into their own hands” and refrain from speculating online as it could “hurt” Nicola’s family.
Supt Riley added: “Nor is it helpful if people, particularly if they have come from outside of the area, take it upon themselves to take the law into their own hands by trying to, for example, break into empty property.
“They may mean well, they may want to help. But they can help in thinking back if they were in the area to what information they may have of relevance to the police and holding the family in their thoughts.
“But we will not tolerate online abuse of anyone, including innocent witnesses, members of the family and friends, of local businesses, or of criminal damage or burglary. We will be taking a strong line on that, as you would expect.”
Supt Sally Riley also explained the details surrounding the mammoth inquiry.
She said there are 500 “active” pieces of information and lines of inquiry police are investigating – but “nothing of note” has been found yet.
Officers are speaking to the drivers of 700 vehicles that drove through the village at around 9.10am/9.15am on the morning Nicola vanished.
Supt Riley said the search is “complex” as the river can be fast-moving with parts of the water tidal.
She added: “It remains our belief that Nicola fell into the river and that this is a missing person inquiry.
“We are fully open minded to any information that indicates where Nicola is and what happened to her.”
