A DEDICATED search and rescue volunteer has died just days after being made an honorary firefighter. Fire, lifeboat, coastguard and search teams across the Island are mourning the loss of Gary Spearman, who died yesterday (Easter Sunday) following a battle with cancer. As a young boy he yearned to become a firefighter, but was unable to. However, he threw his heart and soul into volunteering for the emergency services, serving with Ryde Inshore Rescue, WightSAR, and Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, among others. On the final day of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, and knowing Mr Spearman was very poorly, deputy chief fire officer Steve Apter appointed him as an honorary firefighter.
By Lucy Morgan Audience and Content Editor
The missing person search focussed on two locations (Main Image: Google Maps) A high risk missing person was found in Ventnor last night (Sunday), after a multi-agency search across two Isle of Wight locations. While Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat carried out a search in Sandown Bay, called out at around 8:30pm, a helicopter was heard over the Lake and Sandown area. Emergency teams soon shifted to the Ventnor area, however. At around 8:30pm, Isle of Wight Search and Rescue (WightSAR) confirmed it had been called out to search for a missing person.
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By Iona Stewart-Richardson
More than £1,000 has been raised for WightSAR by Isle of Wight bus firm Southern Vectis.
Southern Vectis was keen to support - Isle of Wight Search & Rescue (WightSAR) - by raising funds to help the charity provide vital services.
Volunteers are available 24 hours a day all year round and work with police and others to look for high risk, vulnerable missing Islanders.
A cheque of £1,145 will be given to WightSAR.