Progress in hunt for flyaway pair

Edward Bunyan and Indira Gainiyeva, both 16, are thought to have vanished at around 3am Monday from Stonyhurst College in Clitheroe, Lancashire.

They apparently ordered a taxi to Manchester Airport, where they caught a flight to the Dominican Republic.

The college’s second master, Matthew Mostyn, said: “At the moment the police are working closely with the families and we are doing all we can to help with that.

“I believe that they are making good progress in making contact with them but I don’t know what conversations have taken place.

“I don’t know whether they are on their way back to the UK, it’s a matter between the police and the families. Clearly we are doing all we can to help and support them in that respect but it is a police matter.”

He insisted there was “excellent security” at the school but it was not designed to keep pupils in.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “In all of these 
situations, where there’s a will there’s a way, but obviously there will be a full review of our procedures.”

Victoria Bunyan, the widow of Edward’s older half-brother Christopher, told the Daily Telegraph: “I don’t approve at all but sounds like he is having quite an adventure.”