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Three bodies found in search for missing fishermen who disappeared six weeks ago off North Wales coast
THREE bodies have been found in the search for missing fishermen who disappeared six weeks ago off the North Wales coast.
Carl McGrath, 34, Ross Ballantine 39, and Alan Minard, 20, were onboard the Nicola Faith when it left Conwy, North Wales, on January 27.
Alan Minard, 20, is one of the fishermen who went missing six weeks ago[/caption]
Ross Ballantine 39, disappeared with the other two fishermen[/caption]
Carl McGrath, 34, also went missing on January 27[/caption]
A major search was launched when the boat failed to return but was stood down two days after the fishermen’s disappearance – on January 29 – when nothing was found.
Today, a spokesman for North Wales Police said the bodies of three men were recovered from the coastline off Wirral and Blackpool over the weekend.
Post-mortem examinations are being conducted, police confirmed.
The spokesman said: “We have been in contact with colleagues from both Merseyside and Lancashire Police, and we await the outcome of the Home Office post-mortem examinations.
“The families of the missing crew members from the vessel Nicola Faith have been kept informed, and continue to be supported by specialist officers.
“We would request that they are given the necessary privacy at this difficult time.”
A life raft from the boat was found off the coast of Kirkcudbrightshire in Scotland by the Coastguard and was identified by the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch.
The fishermen were aboard the Nicola Faith when they disappeared[/caption]
An investigation into the disappearance has included sonar surveys.
More than £55,000 has been raised on a JustGiving page set up by the families of the missing men to pay for a private search, led by deep water recovery expert David Mearns.
The expert helped recover the downed plane carrying Cardiff-bound footballer Emiliano Sala.
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A GoFundMe page set up to help with the search for the fishermen after they disappeared says: “We are getting extremely worried.
“This page is to raise money for the RNLI as they have been working for hours and risking their lives.
“They have been absolutely fantastic and without them this search wouldn’t be possible.”
A life raft from the boat was found off the coast of Kirkcudbrightshire in Scotland[/caption]
