ONE of Guernsey’s best known cabbies is missing.
Now semi-retired, Norman Le Messurier, 65, has not been seen since Thursday. The former Taxi Owners’ Federation president of nearly a decade was last seen by his family at 4pm on 17 May.
The emergency services carried out land, air and sea searches over the weekend but his whereabouts are still unknown.
The inshore lifeboat was launched to search the east coast from Boatworks+ at Castle Emplacement to Fermain Bay yesterday morning.
And the search has now widened to Jersey where police have been issued with his photograph.
Mr Le Messurier was last seen in the Vale Castle area wearing grey trousers and a beige gilet.
He is described as having brown hair, greying at the sides, and of slim build and 5ft 10in. tall.
A police spokesman said family members were becoming particularly concerned for his welfare.
‘We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area of Rue du Chateau and Vale Castle between 7.30 and 8pm on 17 May, Mr Le Messurier’s last confirmed sighting.
‘His vehicles have been accounted for and we believe he was on foot.’
Mr Le Messurier drives a distinctive red Hackney cab.
The spokesman said full enquiries had been made into whether he had left the island by boat or aircraft.
‘We are clearly concerned about his whereabouts and we have no leads at this stage to say that he has left.
‘He is usually quite smartly dressed, according to family.
‘We don’t believe that he has used his credit cards since he went missing.
‘We are not aware that he has any identification, in the form of a driving licence, on him.’
The Vale resident, who first drove a taxi in 1964, is well known for his friendly manner toward clients and colleagues.
Federation secretary Aaron Rabet said that Mr Le Messurier, who is believed to be the island’s longest-serving current cabbie, is a well-respected and liked individual.
‘Everybody has been keeping an eye out for him over the weekend and of course everybody is very concerned.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and we hope nothing terrible has happened.
‘I have not been involved in the search for Norman but I believe the police are carrying out thorough searches with the help of rescue services,’ he said.
Mr Le Messurier drove taxis until 1979, when he worked for the bus company.
But within a couple of years he was running a taxi part-time and later returned to cabs full-time.
Article posted on 21st May, 2007 - 12.00am
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