A search was planned last weekend, but had to be postponed for a week due to the extreme cold, and this Saturday conditions have been affected by heavy snowfall.
– We never get perfect weather, but we do what we can, says Martin Persson of Missing People, who is in charge of the search.
He goes through the day's plans. First, those who come to Biltema's parking lot are given a vest, which means they are insured, and they are registered with their names and phone numbers.
– Three people sit in each car, one keeping an eye on the left and one on the right to make sure nothing is missed. If Elliott's car is found, they call us immediately because it could be a crime, and we have direct contact with the police command center.
Missing People uses the Prolocate system to know where they have searched before, and maps are given to each car showing the specific route for that car. They can track all the cars in real-time and see exactly where they are. On Saturday the search covers the inland roads between Skellefteå and Piteå.
- The inland was less affected by the snowstorm, and Elliott may have thought he wanted to drive there for a quieter experience. That's what we're hoping for, says Persson.
He explains that it's called a "priority 6 case" when someone goes missing with a car and a traditional ground search is not possible.
– I've never seen such dedication in this type of case, so it's positive. The relatives are incredibly involved and the turnout fpr the search is fantastic, he says.
Erik Hultqvist, Elliott's father, says that the support they are receiving means a lot.
– The uncertainty is terrible, and it's so important to get answers, even from the media. Most of the people here today are family, friends, and friends of friends, but some are volunteers that we don't even know. It shows that this is something that affects a lot of people, says Hultqvist.
Martin Persson later tells Norran that 45 people in 16 cars were out between 10:30 and 16:30. He estimates that thousands of kilometers have been searched and says:
– They were thorough and did a great job, but nothing was found. Now we have to consider the next step, and it appears that we will have to wait until the snow has melted more. Those who participated have said they are willing to help again.
