Body of British bomb disposal expert who died in Ukraine returned to Isle of Man
The body of a bomb disposal expert who died volunteering in Ukraine after "saving countless lives" is being returned to the Isle of Man.
Chris Garrett, 40, had dedicated years to clearing landmines and was helping train Ukrainian troops when he was killed by an improvised device in the city of Izyum on Tuesday, 6 May.
The father-of-one had co-founded a humanitarian and mine clearance charity called Prevail Together with his partner Courtney Pollock.
An investigation is now ongoing into the fatal explosion, which also killed one of Mr Garrett's colleagues, an Australian national, and injured a third man.
The 40-year-old's body will be returned to hometown of Peel on Friday, 23 May.
A guard of honour is being formed at Ronaldsway Airport before a motorcade made up of vehicles flying Manx, British and Ukrainian flags, will travel to Peel.
A fundraiser launched to support the family of Mr Garrett, who had a one-year-old daughter, raised more than 10,000 US dollars (£7,543) within a day of being launched.
Prevail Together board member Shaun Pinner confirmed the news of Chris' death and said his "legacy will carry on" through the charity's work and he would be "like a talisman" for the organisation after his death.
He said: 'Chris was a talisman. He was driven by the injustices Russia are doing here. He brought mine awareness to children through to adults and had knowledge which will be deeply missed.
"The outpouring has been really emotional. Local communities have all reached out to us. He knew everyone in the military and police as well as all the civilian communities.
"The amount of lives he has saved, I can't count them. He's pulled out tons and tons of mines.'
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