Guernsey Police resumed their search and rescue operation for the plane carrying Cardiff City striker
Emiliano Sala on Wednesday morning.
The Argentine striker was on board an aircraft which disappeared from radar near the Channel Islands on
Monday evening.
Guernsey Police confirmed a “number of floating objects” were found in the water before Tuesday’s
search was suspended, although rescuers were unable to ascertain if they were from the missing aircraft.
John Fitzgerald, chief officer of the Channel Island Air Search, said a cushion and bent piece of metal
were among the objects recovered.
“The [search] aircraft found various bits of debris and it guided the lifeboat and a nearby fishing boat into
the area to have a look Fitzgerald said
3:08
“The notes from the search director say they found a cushion, a bright orange item beside a dull coloured
box and lots of white items in the water floating alongside a piece of white metal, which was a bit bent –
apparently, just looking at the notes I have just received.”
Fitzgerald says the Channel Island Air Search believe the aircraft broke up after crashing in the Channel.
“At this stage I think it’s very unlikely to have an aircraft that’s in one piece,” he said.
“When a plane goes on the water you only have a few minutes before it does sink. They’re not designed
to sit on the sea and once you open the doors you usually have two or three minutes before it goes
underwater, especially with a lighter aircraft.”
