A major missing person inquiry has been launched for a woman who vanished in mysterious circumstances after attending hospital for treatment.
Amunai Hobbs, 41, left her home in the west Highland town of Oban on Wednesday evening planning to fly to her birthplace in Thailand on Thursday morning.
She was seen in Glasgow Airport in the early hours of that morning.
But police say that she left the airport and attended at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in nearby Paisley, reporting that she felt unwell.
The airport and hospital are about three miles apart by road.
But around 10.35am she left the hospital without being treated and hasn’t been seen since. It is understood it was staff at the hospital who raised the alarm.
She missed her flight to Bangkok and checks have shown that she has not tried to board later flights.
Police and family members are growing increasingly concerned for her wellbeing.
And last night officers appealed for the assistance of the public and the media to trace the petite woman. They have not revealed whether or not she was travelling alone.
She is described as being around 4ft 10in, slim build and has short black hair. When last seen she was wearing a beige coloured fur coat, a purple dress with staining down the front, purple leggings and black high heeled shoes.
Inspector Gary Noonan, of Paisley police, said: “It is very unusual for Amunai not to be in contact with her family and we are very concerned as she had plans to travel abroad.
“We know she did not make the flight to Thailand and we are increasingly concerned for her wellbeing, given that she attended at hospital and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
“If anyone has any information or any knowledge of Amunai’s whereabouts or has seen her, please get in touch with us as a matter of urgency.”
Police in Oban are involved in the search, liaising with friends and family. It is understood Mrs Hobbs had a son from her first marriage.
Mrs Hobbs is well known in the town, and has lived in the west Highland capital since being brought to Scotland by a diver who met her in Thailand. They were married, but tragically her husband died some years ago in a diving accident.
Local people who know her said that she was recently remarried to a local refuse collector.
Oban people were stunned to hear that she had been reported missing, and in such strange and worrying circumstances.
Local businessman Gordon MacGillivray, who employed Mrs Hobbs several years ago at his waterfront seafood stall, said: “This is really terrible. I saw her only on Wednesday. Everyone in the town will know of Amunai.
“She was a lovely wee woman, and really good with the customers.”
A local woman, who did not want to give her name, said: “I found her to be a be a very nice, extrovert person, wearing glamorous clothes and being good fun. She was a character.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Paisley police office on the non-emergency number, 101.