Latest news with #UkraineNationalGuard
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bomb expert killed in Ukraine to be repatriated
The body of a bomb disposal specialist who was killed in Ukraine is due to be repatriated to the Isle of Man later. Chris Garrett died in an incident in Izyum, in the east of the country, on 6 May. The 40-year-old was volunteering with the Ukraine National Guard, after previously helping in the country in both 2014 and 2017. He returned again when war broke out in February 2022. Organising a cavalcade to escort Mr Garrett to his home town of Peel, veteran Jim Quinn said: "It was the very least we could do to bring this hero home to his family. Taking him down through his home town one last time is a privilege and an honour." Mr Garrett had been working to clear mines and train Ukrainian troops after co-founding a humanitarian and mine clearance charity called Prevail Together. Mr Quinn served in the Royal Corps of Signals in the British Army for 14 years, including tours of Bosnia and Afghanistan. He said: "The respect and admiration that Chris has out in Ukraine is mirrored here within both the Ukrainian community and the Manx community." The veteran first met the bomb disposal specialist in 2014, later joining him in Ukraine for two missions delivering humanitarian aid in Kyiv. Mr Garrett's remains will be met with a guard of honour, with members of his family also present. The Moddey Dhoo Motorcycle Club will then lead the cavalcade from Ballasalla to Peel on the west coast of the island. Chairman Brian Corrie said: "It's an honour to be able to do something to help the family." He added that one of their members also served in Ukraine with Mr Garrett, and he would be among those taking part. The convoy is due to leave at 15:30 BST. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Bomb disposal expert killed in Ukraine 'died a hero' Manx bomb disposal specialist killed in Ukraine Manx bomb disposal specialist helping in Ukraine
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Manx bomb disposal specialist killed in Ukraine
A Manx bomb disposal specialist who had been helping to train troops fighting in Ukraine has died. Chris Garrett was severely injured in an incident near Izyum in the east of Ukraine on Tuesday. Shaun Pinner, a board member of the Prevail Together charity, which was co-founded by Mr Garrett, confirmed three of its workers had been critically injured and two had since died, with Mr Garrett among them. The 40-year-old, from the Manx town of Peel, had been volunteering with the Ukraine National Guard, having previously helped in the country between 2014 and 2017. He returned when war broke out in February 2022. A statement from the charity said: "Prevail received the devastating news that our co-founder and chairman alongside other team members were severely injured in an incident near Izyum. "We are still gathering information and working alongside military and police officials to uncover the details." Mr Garrett had trained troops in how to identify mines, taking many of his own photographs [Chris Garrett] In a later statement, Mr Pinner confirmed Mr Garrett had died, adding: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected. We deeply appreciate all the support during this difficult time." From 2014, Mr Garrett had spent three years helping to clear mines and unexploded ordnance in Crimea. Since the Ukraine war broke out in 2022, he had been working to raise awareness about such explosives there and teaching troops how to mitigate the risks should they find them. Speaking to the BBC in 2022, Mr Garrett said: "I've been here before, I've had the shelling, I've had the shooting. I've had some pretty close calls in the country." He had said that while he himself had cleared mines in the country, he could be put to better use by training other people. "I could go on to the contact line now and clear land mines, but I'm just one person," he said. He said he was able to help many more people by "taking groups of 10, 20, 30, 50 guys at a time and teaching them basic awareness". In a statement, the Foreign Office said: "We are in contact with the local authorities following the death of a British national in Ukraine." Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Related internet links
