THE DURHAM University community was united in its desperation to find Euan Coulthard safe and well tonight.

More than 100 students from Euan’s St Mary’s College and beyond volunteered to help the police search for the missing law scholar, turning out in their droves firstly at eight o’clock this morning (Thursday, January 15) and again at lunchtime to scour the riverbanks and city for any clues to his whereabouts.

They also distributed leaflets around the city appealing for information on his disappearance and posted messages of support via social media including the Help Find Euan Coulthard Facebook page, which attracted thousands of “likes” in just a few hours.

Professor Simon Hackett, principal of St Mary’s College, said: “We’re really concerned and anxious about the situation.

“One hundred students have been giving out leaflets to people in the city centre and other areas. There’s obviously a level of concern among the students.”

The college has made expert staff available “at any time” to support any students distressed by Euan’s disappearance, Prof Hackett said; and he contacted the 19-year-old’s family in Nottingham personally, speaking to them by telephone on Thursday evening (January 15).

Prof Hackett described Euan as a “model student”.

“Euan is a very active and committed student, doing very well on his course,” he said.

“He is well-liked and held in high regard by his peers, both in the (law) department and in the college.

“He’s an active footballer and very keen on sport, and interested in politics. People regard him very highly across the whole of the college.

“He’s very serious and dedicated in his studies. He is a model student.”

Chris Makowski, who lived with Euan and had been out with him on the night he disappeared, said students from St Mary’s and other colleges had come together to help find him and he was constantly receiving more telephone offers of support.

"He was really well known. Everyone has been really taken aback. You can see it - no-one wants to be alone. We all just want him found.

“One of his friends from home is even coming up from Nottingham to help,” he added.

Following the deaths of Sope Peters and Luke Pearce in the River Wear in 2013 and 2014, Durham University, Durham Police and the fire brigade have all refocused their efforts to keep students safe, particularly when they have been drinking and around the river.