Islanders honour “true gentleman” whose body was discovered in sea

Monday 17 September 2018

Tributes have poured in for a “kind and wonderful” father whose body was discovered near Bouley Bay after a 48-hour emergency search of land, air and sea.

The body of 55-year-old David Farrell, who had been reported missing, was recovered from the sea at midday on Saturday.

Police made the announcement following a two-day hunt that also involved trained volunteers from Jersey Search and Rescue, Jersey Fire and Rescue inshore lifeboats and the Channel Islands Air Search plane across the north and east coast of the island.

Friends, family and members of the public had tried to join efforts, but Police officials warned against the move due to potential “safety risks.”

We are working hard in partnership with other agencies to co-ordinate our efforts to locate David Farrell. We understand that people wish to assist in this, but we ask that due to associated risks you allow the Emergency, Services to use their specialist training to do so.

— States of Jsy Police (@JerseyPolice) September 15, 2018

Searches came to a tragic conclusion by lunchtime on Saturday, however, when a body believed to be that of Mr Farrell was recovered from the sea on the north-east coast near Bouley Bay. 

Police confirmed shortly after 14:00: “Search & Rescue Services have recovered the body of a middle aged man from the sea in the north east of Jersey at midday today.

“Whilst a formal identification of the deceased man is yet to take place, the circumstances and further descriptions point toward this being the missing person, David Farrell.”

Pictured: Channel Islands Air Search was called in to help find David Farrell.

They added: “Officers are continuing to support his family who are already aware of this news. 

“We thank those who have assisted our enquiries and searches have been concluded at this time. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.” 

Islanders have since shared their “thoughts and love", paying tribute to the father-of-two and “very dear friend” in comments on social media.

Many described the news as “devastating” and “very sad.”

One described Mr Farrell as a “wonderful man and will be very much missed by all those who truly cared about him.”

He was also referred to as “kind and wonderful” , while one person went so far as to call him “one of the nicest men that walked the earth.”

Pictured: Mr Farrell's body was recovered from the sea near Bouley Bay, Force officials said.

Another added said that he was “an amazing man, a true gentleman." 

“He worked with my late father for a few years and they became good friends. Thoughts are with his family at this difficult time ... will be missed RIP David take care upstairs,” they added.

“Thoughts are with his children,” another well-wisher offered