Emotional return home for missing schoolgirl Holly

‘I hugged her and couldn’t let her go’

THE parents of a missing Hathershaw teenager have thanked police for their speedy response which involved dozens of officers and a police helicopter.

Derek King (46) and wife Samantha (40), from Hollins Road, spoke of their relief at having their daughter safely back home.

Thirteen-year-old Holly went missing at 7.15am on Monday and police launched an appeal amid concerns for her safety.

Officers believed the high-achieving pupil from Blue Coat School, in Egerton Street, Oldham, may have gone missing because of concerns over her school work.

A massive police hunt, which involved 30 officers, specialist search teams and a force helicopter, was launched.

Following a public appeal, the teen was found the same day in Gorton, Manchester and returned to her relieved parents.

Mr King said: “We are so glad to have her back.

“When we discovered she was missing we felt absolute shock, we couldn’t believe it was happening.

“She is not one for messing around so the police knew instantly something was wrong and they responded straight away.

“They came to the house really quickly after we called them and collected details and photos.”

Mr King, who refused to talk about the reasons for Holly’s disappearance, described the agony of the hours spent without knowing where his youngest daughter was.

He said: “Every minute that passed got harder and harder.

“My mind was a total blank, I just wanted her to be somewhere safe and dry.

“I just wanted a phone call to say ‘I’m here and I’m all right’.

“It’s the not knowing that’s the hardest.”

As a result of the media appeal, the family was told of a possible sighting of Holly at 7.30pm, which was confirmed after 8pm.

Holly was brought home by police at about 10pm on Monday after being missinf for around 15 hours.

Mr King said: “I just hugged her and didn’t want to let her go.

“It was an extremely emotional moment.

“She is the perfect daughter and we are so proud of both her and her two older sisters.

“I’m proud of Oldham Police and I can’t thank them and the media enough for responding so quickly.”

Holly said: “I feel better now than I did on Monday.

“It’s good that people were looking for me and cared for me.”

Police officers spoke to pupils at Blue Coat School on Monday as part of the appeal and were due to return to the school yesterday.