Menu
13/06/2007
Missing father's body found in English Channel
The body of missing man Alan Watkins has been found in the English Channel, close to where his two-year-old son's body was found at the weekend.
Mr Watkins, 50, and his son Arun, were reported missing on Sunday evening by Arun's mother, Sheena Basnayake.
The pair had gone sailing in a dinghy in Littlehampton in West Sussex on Sunday afternoon.
A member of the public is believed to have seen Mr Watkins and his son entering the sea in their dinghy at Sea Road between 4:30pm and 5pm on Sunday afternoon.
The 5ft-long dinghy, containing nappies and a child's armbands, was found drifting without anyone aboard around 6:40pm and Arun's body was found in the water shortly afterwards. He died in hospital two hours later.
Police said that the child had been wearing a sunblock suit when he was found, but was not wearing a buoyancy aid.
Post-mortems results on Arun are expected to be released later on Wednesday.
A statement released by Arun's mother through Sussex Police described him as "beautiful, adventurous and loving". She said: "He was my raison d'etre, my very reason to live and now I need time to learn to understand, remember and be left to grieve in peace."
Police have urged anyone who saw Mr Watkins pushing the dinghy out to sea on Sunday afternoon to contact them.
Police have said that they are examining a "number of hypotheses" to explain the circumstances of the incident.
(KMcA/JM)
Mr Watkins, 50, and his son Arun, were reported missing on Sunday evening by Arun's mother, Sheena Basnayake.
The pair had gone sailing in a dinghy in Littlehampton in West Sussex on Sunday afternoon.
A member of the public is believed to have seen Mr Watkins and his son entering the sea in their dinghy at Sea Road between 4:30pm and 5pm on Sunday afternoon.
The 5ft-long dinghy, containing nappies and a child's armbands, was found drifting without anyone aboard around 6:40pm and Arun's body was found in the water shortly afterwards. He died in hospital two hours later.
Police said that the child had been wearing a sunblock suit when he was found, but was not wearing a buoyancy aid.
Post-mortems results on Arun are expected to be released later on Wednesday.
A statement released by Arun's mother through Sussex Police described him as "beautiful, adventurous and loving". She said: "He was my raison d'etre, my very reason to live and now I need time to learn to understand, remember and be left to grieve in peace."
Police have urged anyone who saw Mr Watkins pushing the dinghy out to sea on Sunday afternoon to contact them.
Police have said that they are examining a "number of hypotheses" to explain the circumstances of the incident.
(KMcA/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 June 2007
Air-and-sea search called off for missing father
A massive air-and-sea search for a man whose two-year-old son was found in the English Channel has been called off. However, a Sussex Police specialist search team and the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Technical Rescue Team will continue to search the coast for 50-year-old Alan Watkins for a further 24 hours.
Air-and-sea search called off for missing father
A massive air-and-sea search for a man whose two-year-old son was found in the English Channel has been called off. However, a Sussex Police specialist search team and the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Technical Rescue Team will continue to search the coast for 50-year-old Alan Watkins for a further 24 hours.
29 August 2014
Police Investigating If Woman Was Trying To Save Dog When She Was Hit By Train
British Transport Police investigating the death of a woman have said that she may have been trying to save a dog when she was hit by a train. The 22-year-old woman was struck by a train close to Ainsdale station near Southport, Merseyside at about 15:00 on Wednesday. Transport police said a dog was also found dead at the scene.
Police Investigating If Woman Was Trying To Save Dog When She Was Hit By Train
British Transport Police investigating the death of a woman have said that she may have been trying to save a dog when she was hit by a train. The 22-year-old woman was struck by a train close to Ainsdale station near Southport, Merseyside at about 15:00 on Wednesday. Transport police said a dog was also found dead at the scene.
11 June 2007
Toddler found in sea dies: Father missing
A two-year-old boy who was found floating in the English Channel has died and police say that the search for the boy's father is continuing. At about 6.40pm on Sunday Solent Coastguard received a call from a yacht reporting that they had discovered a dinghy floating empty about a mile out to sea.
Toddler found in sea dies: Father missing
A two-year-old boy who was found floating in the English Channel has died and police say that the search for the boy's father is continuing. At about 6.40pm on Sunday Solent Coastguard received a call from a yacht reporting that they had discovered a dinghy floating empty about a mile out to sea.
20 August 2013
Empty Dinghy Sea Search Called Off
A search which was launched following the discovery of an empty dinghy found floating at sea, just off the Northumberland coast, has been called off. A Dutch fishing vessel spotted the 2m (6.5ft) dinghy drifting some 15 miles at sea at around 7pm on Monday.
Empty Dinghy Sea Search Called Off
A search which was launched following the discovery of an empty dinghy found floating at sea, just off the Northumberland coast, has been called off. A Dutch fishing vessel spotted the 2m (6.5ft) dinghy drifting some 15 miles at sea at around 7pm on Monday.
16 March 2015
Police Seek Lewisham Man Over Body Found In Burning Car
Police investigating the discovery of a woman's body in a burning car in West Sussex want to speak to Christopher Raymond Jeffrey-Shaw. The body was found in the boot of a burning Volkswagen Jetta, near Ifield Golf Club on Rusper Road, Ifield, on Friday afternoon.
Police Seek Lewisham Man Over Body Found In Burning Car
Police investigating the discovery of a woman's body in a burning car in West Sussex want to speak to Christopher Raymond Jeffrey-Shaw. The body was found in the boot of a burning Volkswagen Jetta, near Ifield Golf Club on Rusper Road, Ifield, on Friday afternoon.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Cloudy start and the chance of the odd evening shower. Soon becoming dry with prolonged clear spells allowing fog patches to develop in places. Cloud increases in the early hours with patchy rain northwest towards morning. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
