Latest news with #ChannelIslandsAirSearch
BBC News
02-08-2025
- General
- BBC News
Author raises money for Channel Islands Air Search
A book series aimed at children between the ages of five and eight has had its latest edition written and will raise money for a Channel Island charity. Leo Seeker, written by Simon Applegate, shines a light on the emergency services in the islands through it's characters, with Leo being a small search and rescue plane from Guernsey.A share of proceeds from the book sales will go to Channel Islands Air Applegate said he hoped "to create an awareness of the service because we are a voluntary service and entirely dependent on the generosity of Channel Islanders". Leo Seeker works with friends from Jersey, France and Alderney to rescue those in difficulty at other characters are Albert, the red French helicopter, Mona, the green and orange lifeboat, Christine, the ambulance boat and the blue and orange lifeboats of the Channel Islands also feature. The first book Meet Leo was launched in 2022 and the second More Stories about Leo was launched in 2023. All the stories are based upon real-life rescues carried out by the Channel Islands Air Search. "Create an awareness" Mr Applegate said: "I have been a member of Channel Islands Air Search since it started in 1980, so 45 years ago, and I flew as a pilot for air search for 28 years."Between us all we thought well... the stories are worth telling and I decided in my retirement I would pick up my pen and have a go at writing it up."
BBC News
01-08-2025
- BBC News
Sailor dies after going overboard yacht off Guernsey coast
A 72-year-old man has died off the Guernsey coast after he went overboard from a yacht, the coastguard has Coastguard said it had received a broken mayday message at about 03:35 BST from a sailing vessel about 15 miles (24km) north-west of vessel in the area relayed messages and it was established the sailor had entered the water and could no longer be seen, it Peter Port lifeboat, Channel Islands Air Search and a helicopter from the French coastguard were launched and the man was found at 05:45. He was flown to Cherbourg Hospital but later pronounced dead, authorities said. The coastguard said Channel Islands Air Search had initially found an object in the water and directed the lifeboat crew to object was found to be a man overboard marker deployed shortly after the sailor had entered the harbour master James Way said: "I would like to praise the efforts of the search and rescue crews during this incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time."
