A teenager who had been missing for more than a week has been found safe and well.
Shantel Summerfield, 16, was discovered in Northern Ireland on Friday where she had been staying with her 19-year-old penfriend. She had been missing from her home in Oakley Road, Wix, since July 22 and her family was growing increasingly worried for her safety.
Shantel's mother Linda spoke to the Evening Gazette about her relief at the news. "This has been a week of hell for all of us," she said. "Shantel has had a lucky escape and I'm so happy."
The former Tendring Technology College pupil had caught a train to Scotland and boarded a ferry to take her to County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Her disappearance sparked a huge police search, with appeals going out across the UK.
The family will now talk to the Irish police to see when Shantel can come home. For now, she is staying at her penfriend's home with his parents.
Shantel had just finished her GCSEs and had been offered a job at Essex County Council which she is due to start in September.
Published Monday August 2, 2004
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