‘Unspeakably sad’: Search called off for firefighter who disappeared in English Channel during charity swim

Father of two still missing as major search including French and Belgian military helicopters called off

Iain Hughes, from Dudley, started the solo challenge with a support boat on Tuesday from Dover before disappearing ( )

International authorities have abandoned the search for a “much-loved” firefighter who vanished while attempting to swim the English Channel for charity.

Firefighters in the West Midlands lamented the “unspeakably sad” fate of their “highly respected” colleague Iain Hughes, a 42-year-old father of two children.

Having trained for the charity swim for nearly two years, Mr Hughes had been hoping to raise £1,000 for each of the 21 miles of his journey towards the British Heart Foundation, Firefighters Charity and Midlands Air Ambulance.

But despite being accompanied by a support boat, the firefighter – who works in Wednesbury’s technical rescue unit – went missing in the busy shipping lane after setting off from the Kent coast on Tuesday morning.

While a large search was launched – including French and Belgian military helicopters – it has now been called off, French authorities confirmed on Wednesday evening.

“Iain’s disappearance is unspeakably sad,” said Wayne Brown, chief officer at West Midlands Fire Service, which Mr Hughes joined in 1999 at the age of 19.

“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.”

Iain Hughes swam more than 300 miles in 2022 ( )

According to reports on Wednesday evening, his JustGiving fundraising page showed he had raised more than £5,000 of his £21,000 target – a sum which had since doubled to top £11,000 by Thursday morning, with some contributors leaving messages of support for his family and friends.

According to his page, Mr Hughes had planned to split whatever amount he eventually raised between the three “amazing” charities.

A graphic he shared on social media at New Year showed that over the course of 2022, he had “clocked up over 300 miles in the pool, two Chillswim events, swum in open water lakes, reservoirs and seas, plus one swimming championship”.

“With the help from my family and friends I’ve raised some money along the way. It’s been windy, cold and extremely hard work!” he wrote.

Three weeks ago, he posted footage of himself training in the sea with his support crew after his Channel attempt was delayed by stormy weather.

Additional reporting by PA