Joop Sparkes missing: Search for Scot who vanished in Prague enters fourth day
THE agonising search for a Scots holidaymaker who went missing in Prague has entered a fourth day.
Joop Sparkes, 29, travelled to Czech capital with friends to enjoy a short break.
But at the weekend he vanished after he boarded a party boat on the Vltava river and jumped overboard into the water.
The roofer, from Galashiels, Borders, has not been seen since and his loved ones are growing increasingly worried for his welfare.
Here is a timeline of the events leading up to and after Joop's disappearance:
Friday, April 26 - Joop flew from Edinburgh to Prague with his three mates.
Sunday, April 28 - In the early hours of the morning, Joop and his friends boarded a party boat on the Vltava and between 12.30am and 1am he was spotted leaping into the waterway, near the Charles Bridge. Later that morning the alarm was raised and Joop's girlfriend, Charley Maben, 24, was informed.
Monday, April 29 - Joop's worried loved ones decided to travel out to Prague to help look for him. His sister, Jodie Wilson, 46, his aunt Gillian Bunyan, one of his friends, and Charley's mum, Jill, flew out to the city together. They looked up and down the riverbanks and inside derelict buildings, while police boats and specialist divers combed the waterway.
Tuesday, April 30 - Czech police continued to scour the river and Joop's family were informed that officers had notified German authorities of his disappearance.
Wednesday, May 1 - Joop's anguished sister told of her concerns as her and the rest of his family and friends have been left "devastated". The search party has been looking tirelessly for Joop.
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Thursday, May 2 - The agonising search for Joop continues as he has been missing for four days.
Yesterday, Jodie said: “We’ve looked along the banks and checked in derelict buildings, anywhere he could’ve crawled into and taken refuge. If he’s gone in the water maybe he’s become disoriented.
“The police said they’re checking hospitals and alerted Germany incase he ends up down the river.
“They’ve looked at CCTV along the bank where the boat left and came back in. They’ve spoken to local bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
“We’re all just devastated. We keep going through all these different emotions."
Shortly after Joop vanished, Charley launched an urgent appeal on social media.
She wrote: “If anyone has any information or has seen him please call 158 get in touch.
“Family really worried. He possibly had swam back to shore and no one has seen him so he could be anywhere.”
More than £9,000 has been donated to a page to help with the search efforts.
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A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has gone missing in Czech Republic and are in contact with the local authorities.”
The Police of the Czech Republic has been contacted for comment.