Conwy: Sightings in search for missing Ausra Plungiene

A major multi-agency search is under way for Ausra Plungiene who was last seen on Tuesday morning

More than 60 rescue team volunteers have resumed the search across Eryri for a missing dog walker.

Ausra Plungiene, 56, from Prestatyn, Denbighshire, set off with her black Swedish lapphund in the mountains above the Conwy Valley on Tuesday morning.

The search was paused at 20:00 BST on Wednesday, but resumed on Thursday.

Two possible sightings were also being investigated, North Wales Police said, with a senior officer adding that the search area was almost 14 sq miles.

The force said Ms Plungiene is an experienced mountain walker who was well equipped for the conditions.

Specially trained officers are supporting her family as the search across the national park - also known as Snowdonia - continues.

Supt Owain Llewellyn said: "We are desperately concerned about Ausra's wellbeing, as are her family.

"A large search involving several organisations has been taking place all day in the mountains above Rowen until we lost the light in the evening.

"Sixty-five volunteers, including members of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service, had been out on the hills "in some extremely challenging conditions.

"The search area now extends to 36 sq km, a huge area which is providing a real challenge to the team.

"The search is focusing on the mountain area south of Rowen in the Conwy Valley sort of heading towards Llwellyn and encompassing a number of mountain peaks there.

"It's an absolutely horrendous situation for the family."

Video posted on Twitter showed snow and ice on the ground and strong winds in the area on Wednesday.

Farmer Gareth Wyn Jones, who captured the video of a search helicopter over the mountains on Wednesday, said: "The last few days has been pretty bad, the night the lady went missing was cold and wet, with hailstones, but the morning after I was taking the lambs onto the heft and this almighty storm storm came.

"I had to look for shelter and the snow that was landing on me was freezing on me. So the conditions up there, even higher up where she was missing, would be even worse," he said.

"It does make people worry for her safety even [if] she is well prepared. This place is massive - it's 27,000 acres of open mountain, and it is literally like looking for a needle in a haystack."

"This place is massive - it's 27,000 acres of open mountain, and it is literally like looking for a needle in a haystack," farmer Mr Jones said

Local residents in Prestatyn said they hoped Ms Plungiene would be found soon.

"It's a long time to go missing, it was so cold and windy last night. I hope and pray they find her, bless her," Joan Castle said.

Mal Edwards said recent bad weather and high winds had added to the concern for Ms Plungiene.

"The last couple of nights have been quite stormy. I do know it does get to minus zero temperatures with the wind chill factor, so that is quite worrying," he said.

A car believed to be that of Ausra Plungiene was found by police near Rowen, Conwy on Wednesday

Ausra Plungiene's car was found in a mountain car park in Bwlch-y-ddeufaen shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

Police are investigating two possible sightings of her and her dog, called Eyora, in the Carneddau mountains on Tuesday.

"The thoughts of all the teams are with Ausra's family and friends at this very difficult time."

It is believed Ms Plungiene may have been wearing a dark pink or purple padded jacket, black leggings and blue shoes.

Officers are appealing for anyone who may have been walking in that area on Tuesday with a dog to get in touch, so they can can rules these sightings out of their enquiries.

Ms Plungiene left her home in Prestatyn, Denbighshire with her Swedish lapphund on Tuesday morning

The team is also investigating possible leads from a hillwalking app Ms Plungiene often uses to log her mountain routes.

Supt Llewellyn urged people not to conduct their own searches due to the poor weather conditions.