He went missing on the night of Monday January 21
The plane carrying Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala has been found.
An official rescue operation was called off by Guernsey Police after 24 hours of extensive searching in the English Channel, but a GoFundMe page raised enough money to fund a private search for the missing persons.
The aircraft was found on the bed of the English channel and a UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch vessel remains in the area.
Wreckage of the plane carrying Emiliano Sala and piloted by David Ibbotson was located early this morning by the FPV MORVEN. As agreed with the AAIB they moved the GEO OCEAN III over the position we provided them to visually identify the plane by ROV. #EmilianoSala
— David Mearns OAM (@davidlmearns) February 3, 2019
The wreckage was located on the seabed of the English Channel earlier this morning and has now been positively identified – search boat led by @davidlmearns made the discovery. The @aaibgovuk vessel remains in the area to oversee recovery.
— Tom Parmenter (@TomSkyNews) February 3, 2019
When Guernsey Police called off the official search, Harbour Master Captain David Barker said that they had “reviewed all the information to us, as well as knowing what emergency equipment was on board, and have taken the difficult decision to end the search.”
“The chances of survival at this stage are extremely remote,” they added.
Sala’s family then started a GoFundMe page to raise enough money to fund a private search operation. Several famous footballers, including Adrien Rabiot, Gonzalo Higuain and Ilkay Gundogan donated to the cause.
Both Sala and Ibbotson are missing, presumed dead, at this stage.
The Argentine had just signed for Cardiff City, a record £15 million transfer, and was travelling from previous club Nantes to Wales.
Two vessels searched for the wreckage in an area about 24 miles north of Guernsey. Sonar identified something on the sea bed and after several passes, David Mearns’ team positively identified the aircraft.
