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23rd Jan 2019

Search for Emiliano Sala suspended ahead of decision whether to abandon search, pilot’s name revealed

Carl Kinsella

Emiliano Sala

The search has been called off for another night.

The search for Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala has been suspended for a second night as the light begins to fade, the official Twitter account for the Guernsey Police has confirmed.

The statement also read: “After an intensive search using multiple aircraft and one lifeboat over the last nine hours, we have found no trace of the missing plane.”

In a separate tweet, the organisation also confirmed that it was possible that the search would be abandoned tomorrow. They wrote: “A decision about whether to recommence will be taken early tomorrow morning.” No further update will be issued tonight (23 January).

It was reported in the Sala’s native Argentinian media earlier today that the player had sent a very worried voice note to his family, saying that he was “really scared” and that his plane “looked like it was falling to pieces.”

A 16:55 update from the police also saw Harbour Master Captain David Barker say: “I can confirm the name of the pilot is David Ibbotson.”

So far, the search has been continued based on the possibility that the plane either landed somewhere else and has not made contact, that the two were able to make it onto the life raft that was aboard the plane or that they were picked up by a passing ship.