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Family Of Pilot From Emiliano Sala Crash Set Up GoFundMe Page To Help Find His Body

Family Of Pilot From Emiliano Sala Crash Set Up GoFundMe Page To Help Find His Body

The body of the 59-year-old pilot is yet to be discovered

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

The family of the pilot who flew the plane carrying footballer Emiliano Sala have set up a crowdfunding page in an attempt to find his body.

Fifty-nine-year old David Ibbotson was flying Cardiff City's newly-signed striker Sala from Nantes to Wales when the plane crashed into the sea on 21 January.

The search was called off within four days, but thanks to a fundraising page,£260,000 was raised and paid for a private search.

A shirt left as a tribute by a fan.
PA

It was this search that resulted in Sala's body being found on 4 February, however, Ibbotson's body is yet to be discovered.

Now, the pilot's daughter Danielle has launched a GoFundMe page with hopes of getting together enough money to pay for another search.

A description on the page says: "Please help bring David Ibbotson home and help give him the send off he deserves.

"As a family we are relying on the kindness of the good-hearted people to help us raise the much-needed funds to help us find our beloved Dad, husband and son.

"As a family we are trying to come to terms with the tragedy and the loss of two incredible men.

"To be told the search has now been called off for the foreseeable future has only made this tragic time more difficult.

"We cannot bear the thought of him being alone, we need him home so that we are able to lay him to rest.

"Any donations would be very much appreciated.

"Thank you so much for your support."

Since launching 16 hours ago, the page has raised almost £32,000, with a target of £300,000.

Following the news that Sala's body had been discovered, his family urged the authorities to continue with the search for Ibbotson's remains.

The statement read: "It is with infinite sadness that we confirm the identity of Emiliano's body.

"We would like to thank you for all your signs of affection and support in what is the most painful time of our lives.

"Seeing the whole world mobilised to support us in our research has been an infinitely precious help. Thanks to you, we are now able to mourn our son, our brother.

"On this Friday morning, our thoughts go to David Ibbotson and his family, hoping that the authorities will do their best to find him."

If you would like to donate to the cause, you can do so here.

Featured Image Credit: GoFundMe

Topics: uk news