Teddington lifeboat search River Thames for Geraldine Teasdale (From This Is Local London)

Teddington lifeboat search River Thames for Geraldine Teasdale

10:51am Friday 18th December 2009 in

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Teddington Lifeboat crew have been searching the River Thames as they look for a missing teacher.

Geraldine Teasdale, of Munster Road, Teddington, was last seen at a party in Twickenham town centre at about midnight last Friday.

The 54-year-old humanities teacher had been celebrating Christmas with friends and colleagues from Teddington School, but was reported missing by her family the following day.

Her husband and two children, both former pupils at the Broom Road secondary school, told police this week of their growing worry and headteacher Richard Weeks has spoken of the sadness felt by his school’s community.

Richmond police believe Mrs Teasdale “may have been in a vulnerable state of mind” when she disappeared.

The lifeboat crew were asked to search the river by the police and launched at 2pm yesterday.

They searched the river from Teddington Lock to Steven's Ait, near Hampton Wick, but nothing was found.

Malcolm Miatt, RNLI Teddington lifeboat operations manager, said: "The police asked for the involvement of the RNLI to help their search for the missing woman.

"We are always able to assist with cases like this and we hope the woman turns up safe and well."

Mr Weeks said the school was doing all it could to support the police in trying to find Mrs Teasdale, who he described as a valuable and “well thought of” member of staff.

He said: “We are all keeping our fingers crossed there is a good resolution to this.

“At the moment our thoughts are with her husband and family. It is a very worrying time for us all.”

Mr Weeks said the atmosphere at the school since Mrs Teasdale’s disappearance had been “quite tense”, but added all of the students were being “very respectful”.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Mick Snowden said: “Geraldine’s family are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare. She does not appear to have access to any money or transport.

“We are urging Geraldine or anyone who has seen her to contact us so we can confirm she is safe and well.”

It is thought Mrs Teasdale made her way home from the party shortly after midnight, before changing her clothing.

She is believed to have put on a blue Barbour-style wax jacket and walking boots and left her home in the early hours of the morning with a set of house keys and mobile phone.

Her phone has not been switched on since.

Anyone with any information should contact Richmond police on 020 8247 5818 or call Missing People on 0500 700 700.