Search for Duncan Sim

Duncan Sim, one of our first year Chemistry undergraduates and resident of Agnes Blackadder Hall, is still missing.

Duncan was last seen on Wednesday 14 March about 11.15pm leaving Madras Rugby Club in Old Station Road where he’d been on a night out with friends.

Police Scotland confirmed today (20 March) during a press conference that searches are ongoing and extend from St Andrews to as far north as Tentsmuir Forrest and down to Crail. Officers have conducted door-to-door enquiries in St Andrews in a bid to establish Duncan’s last known movements and continue to do so.

A number of specialist local and national resources have been used in the search, including: the Coastguard, search and rescue dogs and a police air support unit, with specially trained officers assisting a large number of public volunteers. Police Scotland have issued a CCTV image of Duncan as inquiries to trace him continue.

There have been exhaustive searches in St Andrews and of vast areas of ground from Guardbridge to Kingsbarns, much of it carried out and supported by groups of volunteers from the town, the University and farther afield, coordinated by Ben Peddie, formerly our AU President and current Captain of the University Rugby Club.

Duncan is 6ft tall, and of medium build. He has brown hair, green eyes and was last seen wearing a grey-coloured suit jacket, white shirt and a blue and white tie and dark trousers.

Chief Inspector Steven Hamilton of Fife’s Police Division said: “Duncan has now been missing for a significant amount of time and we are very concerned for his welfare.

“The response from the public and our partner agencies has been fantastic and we are thankful for their support as we continue in our efforts to trace Duncan.

“I would appeal specifically to anyone who may have seen Duncan, or a man matching his description, outside Madras Rugby Club at around 11.15pm on Wednesday night.

“We have released an image of Duncan from earlier in the evening showing the clothing he was wearing when last seen. I would ask the public to view this image and come forward if they saw Duncan after 11.15pm on Wednesday evening.

“I would also ask local residents in the St Andrews area to check their gardens, outbuilding and cars as Duncan may have entered to seek shelter and which can help us establish his current whereabouts.”

Anyone with information is asked to dial 101 quoting incident number 2987 of 15 March.

Anyone who wishes to help or offer support is welcome to drop in at Madras Rugby Club which has become search HQ, and where there is tea and coffee and fresh food and a chance to meet people who know Duncan.

Ben Peddie and his fellow volunteers have set up a Facebook group for volunteers.

Principal Professor Sally Mapstone said: “Duncan’s parents Sheila and Gordon are staying in the University while the search continues and we are offering them every possible support. It is difficult to imagine how awful this must be for them, and for all those who are close to Duncan, and I know that everyone who has met them in recent days has been struck by the courage and dignity of the family.

“We will do our best to keep everyone informed of key developments, and if the situation with the need for volunteers changes.”