Police divers and specialist search teams have launched an intensive hunt for a 38-year-old woman who vanished after being spotted at a Cheshire petrol station in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Rachel Booth, from Northwich, was reported missing after she was last seen by family members in the Barnton area before dawn on 19 July. CCTV footage captured her final known sighting at 3.50am at Sandiway garage on the A556, approximately five miles from where she was initially seen.
Cheshire Police, assisted by underwater search teams and Cheshire Search and Rescue volunteers, are concentrating their efforts around the Oakmere area of Delamere, where investigators believe Ms Booth may have travelled after leaving the petrol station.
Superintendent Paul Hughes said officers were “becoming increasingly concerned” for Ms Booth’s welfare as the search entered its second day. We are currently following a number of enquiries to trace Rachel and we are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare,” he stated.
The search operation prompted the closure of Wild Shore Delamere water park on Sunday, less than two miles from the petrol station where Ms Booth was last seen. The popular watersports venue announced it would remain shut to assist police investigations.
Due to ongoing police investigations in the surrounding area, Wild Shore Delamere will remain closed until further notice,” the park said in a statement. “This incident is unrelated to Wild Shore – however we wish to help as much as possible.”
Ms Booth is described as 5ft 9ins tall, of slim build, with blonde hair. She is believed to be wearing black leggings and a black top. Police have released CCTV images from the petrol station as part of their appeal for information.
“As part of our investigation, our officers and partner agencies, including the Underwater Search Team and Cheshire Search and Rescue, are conducting enquiries in the Oakmere and surrounding areas,” Superintendent Hughes explained. “We would like to thank local businesses for their patience and understanding while these are currently ongoing.”
The deployment of underwater search specialists has intensified concerns about Ms Booth’s whereabouts. The teams are systematically searching waterways and lakes in the Delamere Forest area, a popular beauty spot known for its woodlands and water features.
Cheshire Search and Rescue, a volunteer organisation that assists police in missing person cases, joined the operation on Sunday. The group specialises in searching difficult terrain and has extensive experience in woodland and water searches.
Investigators are following all lines of enquiry and anyone who has seen Rachel since she was reported missing is asked to contact us,” Superintendent Hughes added. “The same goes for anyone who has any information on her whereabouts.”
Police are particularly interested in any sightings between 3.50am on Saturday, when Ms Booth was captured on CCTV at the garage, and the time she was reported missing. Officers are reviewing additional CCTV footage from the area and conducting door-to-door enquiries.
The A556 route between Northwich and Delamere is a main arterial road connecting several Cheshire towns. The Sandiway garage where Ms Booth was last seen serves as a 24-hour facility for motorists travelling through the area.
Local residents have been asked to check gardens, outbuildings and any private CCTV systems that might have captured Ms Booth’s movements. The search area encompasses several square miles of mixed terrain, including woodland, agricultural land and water features.
We would also like to appeal directly to Rachel to get in touch to let us know you are OK,” Superintendent Hughes said, addressing Ms Booth directly in case she is able to see the police appeals.
The missing person investigation has mobilised significant resources, with multiple police units working alongside specialist teams. The involvement of underwater search teams typically indicates investigators are exploring all possibilities in their efforts to locate missing individuals.
Delamere Forest, where search efforts are concentrated, covers approximately 950 hectares and includes several lakes and waterways. The area is popular with walkers, cyclists and water sports enthusiasts, particularly during summer months.
Wild Shore Delamere’s closure affects hundreds of pre-booked customers. The facility offers activities including wakeboarding, paddleboarding and an inflatable water obstacle course. Management said affected customers should contact their customer service team for refunds or rebooking.
The search operation represents a significant escalation from initial missing person enquiries. The coordination between multiple agencies demonstrates the seriousness with which authorities are treating Ms Booth’s disappearance.
Anyone with information about Rachel Booth’s whereabouts is urged to contact Cheshire Police immediately on 101, quoting reference IML-2136439. Information can also be submitted through the force’s website. In emergencies, the public should call 999.
Police emphasised that any piece of information, however small it might seem, could prove crucial in locating Ms Booth safely. They particularly want to hear from anyone who was in the Sandiway or Oakmere areas during the early hours of Saturday morning.
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