The search for a firefighter who went missing in the Channel has been called off, West Midlands fire service (WMFS) has said.
Crew manager Iain Hughes, based at Wednesbury station, set off from the Kent coast on Tuesday morning on a charity swim but disappeared that evening in French waters. He was accompanied by a support boat when he began the effort.
French and Belgian military helicopters led a search for Hughes alongside navy and police patrol boats, but French authorities have now called off the search.
The WMFS chief fire officer, Wayne Brown, said: “Iain’s disappearance is unspeakably sad. We are giving Iain’s family all the support we can at this distressing time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone close to Iain. He is a highly respected and much-loved colleague and friend to many.”
Hughes, 42, was aiming to raise £21,000 for the British Heart Foundation, Midlands Air Ambulance and Fire Fighters Charity. The Channel crossing is 21 miles, and Hughes was hoping to raise £1,000 for each mile of the swim.
According to his JustGiving page, he had raised more than £6,000 of a £21,000 target. Donations poured in on Wednesday after news of his disappearance spread, with many leaving messages of condolence on the site.
On Wednesday, the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation, which monitors swimmers in the Channel, said: “The CSPF deeply regret to announce that a solo swimmer who was attempting a crossing of the English Channel on 20 June 2023, is being reported as missing in action. Following a sea search, the swimmer was unable to be found.”