Body pulled from the sea identified as missing fisherman

A BODY pulled from the sea has been identified as a fisherman who died when his trawler sank off the Sussex coast last year.

Two of the three men on board the Joanna C lost their lives when the boat sank in November – with captain Dave Bickerstaff dramatically saved from the wreckage by lifeboat crews.

Now the family of Robert Morley, 38, have confirmed a body brought from the sea in December has been formally identified.

Robert’s dad Barry Woolford said: “To all the beautiful people of Brixham it is with much sadness that I have to inform you that our son Robert Morley has been identified as the body that was brought from the sea at Bexhill in December.

“Thank you all for your fantastic support and love these past 12 weeks. No further information is available at this moment regarding funeral arrangements but on behalf of all Robs family thanks Brixham.”

Robert had been due to marry mum-of-two Natasha Croydon,40, this summer in a Welsh castle.

Posting a tribute to her late fiance on Wednesday, Natasha said: “Take it easy all of you and just remember we are all together in this as we all loved Rob.”

A major sea search was launched in the early hours of November 21, 2020, when Joanna C set off an emergency beacon off the Sussex coast.

Captain Dave Bickerstaff was pulled from the water by lifeboat crews and the body of 26-year-old Adam Harper was recovered by divers days later.

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