Holly comes home — safe and well

HOLLY KING: back home

Massive police hunt called off as teenager turns up in youth club

A DAY of frantic searching and public appeals ended happily after a missing Oldham teenager was found safe and unhurt.

A large-scale police hunt was launched yesterday morning after 13-year-old Holly King was reported missing when she failed to turn up for school.

Holly left her home in Hollins Road, Medlock Vale, at 7.15am but never arrived at the Blue Coat School.

It is believed the teenager — described as a high achiever — may have gone missing because of concerns over her school work.

She was last seen by her sister leaving the house. It was understood that Holly had not taken any money or clothes with her.

Around 30 officers, including specially-trained search teams, spent the day combing the area.

A police helicopter was scrambled and officers studied CCTV footage of Oldham and Ashton town centres as well as the area around Park Cakes.

Fellow pupils at the Egerton Street school were questioned by police and Chief Inspector Rob Tinsley appealed for her return.

The teenager was found safe and well at 6.30pm yesterday at a youth centre in Gorton.

Her father, Derek, said he was ‘over the moon’ after police phoned to say they had found the youngster.

He described the police as brilliant and praised their response as well as the response from the tactical aid unit in Oldham.

A police spokesman said: “Holly’s family and GMP press office thanks the media for publicising the appeal.”