Iain Hughes: Search for charity Channel swimmer called off

The hunt for a "highly respected and overmuch loved" firefighter, missing portion connected a foundation aquatics crossed the English Channel has been called off.

Iain Hughes, from Dudley, started the solo situation with a enactment vessel connected Tuesday from Dover earlier disappearing.

Mr Hughes, 42, remains missing contempt a hunt involving subject helicopters and navy and constabulary boats.

His disappearance was "unspeakably sad", West Midlands Fire Service said.

Based astatine Wednesbury occurrence station, Mr Hughes had posted connected societal media 2 weeks agone that the aquatics had been delayed due to the fact that of atrocious weather.

In a statement, the occurrence work said: "We are heartbroken to corroborate that 1 of our unit managers, Iain Hughes, is missing aft his inspiring effort to aquatics the English Channel for charity."

French authorities person confirmed the hunt has present ended, it said, adding: "In spite of hunt efforts involving French and Belgian subject helicopters, positive navy and constabulary patrol boats, Iain's whereabouts stay unknown."

Mr Hughes, a joined father-of-two who has been with the occurrence work since the property of 19, presently works successful its method rescue unit.

Chief Fire Officer Wayne Brown, described Mr Hughes arsenic a "highly-respected and much-loved workfellow and person to many."

"We are giving Iain's household each the enactment we tin astatine this distressing time," helium said.

The Channel crossing is 21 miles (34km) and tin instrumentality swimmers anyplace betwixt 7 and 27 hours to complete.

Mr Hughes has been aiming to rise £21,000 for the British Heart Foundation, Midlands Air Ambulance and Fire Fighters' Charity.

The Gris-Nez operational surveillance and rescue centre (CROSS) was informed a swimmer had disappeared connected Tuesday, disconnected the Cap Gris-Nez.

The Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation (CS&PF), which monitors swimmers successful the channel, announced with "deep regret" Mr Hughes could not beryllium recovered aft a oversea search.

The Channel Swimming Association said the swimmer was not progressive with the organisation and it was truthful incapable to comment, but said its "thoughts and prayers" were with the swimmer and his family.

The BBC has contacted HM Coastguard and Kent Police for comment.