Taxi driver was last man to see Stuart Gilson
A TAXI driver has told how missing Stuart Gilson appeared agitated minutes before he walked off alone through Hull’s Old Town.
Adrian Knight picked up Stuart, 21, and his two friends on Hedon Road on Saturday night.
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Taxi driver Adrian Knight dropped off Stuart Gilson and his friends in Lowgate, Hull city centre
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Police searching in the Drypool Bridge area
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A police search on the Humber bank yesterday
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Stuart Gilson
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A CCTV image of Stuart Gilson walking on to Drypool Bridge - the last confirmed sighting.
He drove them to Lowgate, dropping them off near the Jaz Café bar, after the friends had caught the taxi into town.
Mr Knight, who has been helping police with their investigations, said Stuart left the blue Renault Laguna before his two friends got out.
He said: “As soon as I stopped the car, Stuart was out. He was really drunk, he didn’t say a word.
“His friends were saying he was upset because he was asked to leave the party.”
Stuart was last seen on CCTV entering Drypool Bridge at 10.17pm on Saturday night. There is no CCTV footage of him leaving the bridge, prompting suggestions he took a shortcut along the River Hull.
Concern for his safety mounted when he failed to return home to Annandale Road, Greatfield, and then failed to turn up to catch a ferry to Holland with work on Sunday.
Stuart's family have spoken of their horror after hearing reports a body had been seen in the River Hull yesterday.
A bus driver had told police he thought he saw a body close to Drypool Bridge, floating out towards the Humber yesterday afternoon.
However, to the relief of the family, after thorough searches, police officers described it as a false alarm and instead recovered rubbish from the water.
Stuart’s sister, Kimberley Gilson, 24, said: “We were at Victoria Dock searching and someone called me saying there was loads of police so we bombed it down there.
“My heart was pounding, it was horrible, I thought the worst.
“I got there and we were just watching the police and waiting.
“We’re just so relieved it’s not Stuart.
“We have to remain positive and carry on searching for him.”
Hundreds of people are taking part in city-wide searches for Stuart, of Greatfield, Hull, after he disappeared at the weekend.
Two teams of volunteers headed out to search for a fifth night running last night.
Family, friends, and wellwishers wanting to help met at Paull at 6pm and made their way on foot towards Hessle.
A second search party started out at the Country Park Inn at Hessle.
Stuart was wearing a grey Luke-branded polo shirt with a large lion emblem, G-Star RAW jeans and black Fred Perry plimsolls with white laces.
He was also carrying a wallet with a built-in bottle opener and the words "beer tokens" written on it.
Anyone with information should call police on 101.
• Update - March 10: Body found in River Humber believed to be that of missing Stuart Gilson
Stuart Gilson's sister says: 'Someone out there knows something'
Family of missing Stuart Gilson plea with public to not give up hope
Missing Stuart Gilson: Police divers search Hull rivers
Hundreds join search for missing Hull man Stuart Gilson
Family's desperate fears for Hull man Stuart Gilson
Missing Stuart Gilson: Search parties and Hull City flyers
Search for missing 21-year-old Hull man Stuart Gilson
Police have released a poster appealing for information about missing Stuart Gilson which you can download here in PDF format.
22 Comments
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by sharonblagdon
Sunday, February 05 2012, 5:48PM
“People may be searching on a night time in the hope he is alive and coming out of hiding, if you just aearch during they day why would that be??? to be able to see rivers clearly etc. let them search it gives them hope and make them feel worthwhile. i think its brilliant people are helping out if i did not work full time with two young children i may be out there too. and you never ever know while there is hope there is a chance isnt there no one should knock it no one.”
by cueball44
Friday, February 03 2012, 9:46PM
“The steps next to the MILL lead to the path that goes round to where the Homeless&Rootless building is. From the steps all the way round there is no railings. So if he went down the steps then walked straight on (maybe to relieve himself) he could have become disorientated and slipped.”
by PURPLESPIDER
Friday, February 03 2012, 9:45PM
“I hope this lad is found safe and well for the family's sake.
What kind of friend are you if you leave one of your friends to walk home on their own knowing what kind of world we live in?
Is your life worth nothing compared to a taxi fare home?”
by strummer1961
Friday, February 03 2012, 5:40PM
“Samfromhull.Did you actually get some gratification from your pathetic post?”
by JonnoEvolved
Friday, February 03 2012, 5:15PM
“@SamfromHull
I don't think the HDM buy stories.”
by FreeWillie
Friday, February 03 2012, 4:45PM
“Samofhull, 6 days what are you talking about”
by Samfromhull
Friday, February 03 2012, 4:23PM
“Quite clearly somebody trying to make money out of a bad situation.. 6 days to come forward!?!! "I'll sell my story to the papers, bit of money out the poor c**t" Disgusting.”
by muffintop
Friday, February 03 2012, 4:09PM
“@Hunger4Unger, it is possible that he went down the steps and walked past the old Rank Hovis Mill - hence why no CCTV footage of him exiting the bridge. At 10.17pm I would like to think that if someone was going to try and jump off the bridge someone would notice them - Plenty of times i have been over the bridge and people are walking into town from either going down witham or leaving town to go down witham.”
by Baldric1234
Friday, February 03 2012, 4:01PM
“Hunger, your surname wouldn't be 'Poirot' would it.”
by prevs
Friday, February 03 2012, 3:55PM
“People need to stay positive and keep up the great work we hope he is found safe and sound and gill gets her boy back !!! As for myhull I see you have analysed the media and quick to put them down BUT you made a fatal error my friend he does not have his phone which the media have already published !!!! Why do people come on here to slate the media , council or any others just for an argument ??? Just remember this is about stuart and his heartbroken family !! Show some respect please ladies and gents and show your support by lending a hand !!!”