Emiliano Sala’s plane wreckage found, still no sign of the player.
Wreckage from a plane carrying Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala
has been discovered in the English Channel. The Piper Malibu N264DB was
lost on 21 January on its way from Nantes, France, to Cardiff, with the
Argentine striker and pilot David Ibbotson on board.
Accident investigators are expected to send a submersible to inspect
the wreckage later on Monday. David Mearns, who led a privately-funded
search for the aircraft, said it was located off Guernsey on Sunday.
He said: “All I will say, is that there is a substantial amount of
wreckage on the seabed.” Mr Mearns’ private search has now been stood
down and the Air Accident Investigation Branch is at the site working to
recover the plane.
In a series of tweets, marine scientist Mr Mearns said: “The families
of Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson have been notified by police. Our
sole thoughts are with the families and friends of Emiliano and David.”
Speaking to Argentinian broadcaster Cronica TV, Sala’s father Horacio
said: “I cannot believe it. This is a dream. A bad dream. I am
desperate.”
Cardiff had signed Sala for a club record of £15m and he was due to start training last month.
The 28-year-old player and Mr Ibbotson, 59, from Crowle, North
Lincolnshire, were travelling from Nantes, where he had previously
played, when the flight lost contact with air traffic controllers.
