28 July 2023 , 19:18
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Rescuers have recovered the body of a "much-loved" firefighter who went missing as he tried to swim the English Channel for charity. Iain Hughes, a crew manager at Wednesbury fire station, begun his mission on June 20.
But during his attempt to raise £21,000 for The British Heart Foundation, The Firefighters Charity and Midlands Air Ambulance, the 42-year-old vanished. West Midlands Fire Service said on Friday the body of a swimmer found in waters off Belgium has been formally identified as Mr Hughes.
The service issued a joint statement tonight alongside the late swimmer's family. His fundraiser had far exceeded this target, raising more than £56,000 since his disappearance.
The hero firefighter goes missing during courageous cross-Channel charity swim
His family said their lives "were shattered" when he went missingHe spent two years training for a 21-mile swim across the English Channel but tragically never reached his destination with French authorities calling off the search days after he set off.
Family members spoke of how their lives "were shattered" when he went missing earlier this summer. The statement read: "He was our world. The news that his body had been found was unbearable.
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"It still is. We miss him more than words can ever say. We are proud of Iain for so many reasons.
"He put his heart and soul into training for the swim, but that was Iain - determined to help and support others."
They continued: "It is lovely to see how much money has been raised for his three charities, but also heartbreaking that he will never know the total.
"Thank you to everyone who has donated and who is still raising money.
"We also want to send our thanks and love to everyone who has been there for us these past few weeks. The photo we are releasing sums up the Iain we loved."
Search efforts had involved French and Belgian military helicopters, as well as Navy and police patrol boats.
He joined the brigade in 1999 as a teenager. West Midlands Fire Service said flags at its sites will fly at half-mast as a mark of respect.
Chief fire officer Wayne Brown said it is "devastating news" and that "Iain's family are foremost in our thoughts at this distressing time".
He added: "I know that many people have been affected by Iain's disappearance.
"We, in turn, have been touched by the hundreds of kind messages we have received, and the overwhelming response to Iain's fundraising page. Thank you."
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