Brazil rescuers find plane wreck

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Rescuers searching for a missing plane carrying four British businessmen have found wreckage on beach in Brazil.

The news came as the wife and son of one the men flew out to help search. Maureen and Elliot Hodges joined the hunt for Nigel Hodges, 52, of Somerset.

The Cessna 310 lost contact with air officials on Friday just before it was due to land in the coastal city Ilheus.

Also missing are Alan Kempson, 46, Sean Woodhall, 43, and Ricky Every, 41, and two local pilots.

Brazilian authorities said the wreckage was found washed up on a beach 56 to 59 miles (90 to 95km) north of the coastal city where the businessmen's plane was due to land.

We are feeling positive. It is looking like it is going to be OK Gabrielle Hodges

Teams from the air force and police plus volunteers have been searching 155 sq miles (400 km sq) of jungle and sea in the north-east of the country.

Earlier Lt Col Beatriz, spokeswoman for the Brazilian Air Force, said she was "optimistic" the search would end in the next 24 hours.

Mr Hodges's wife and son left behind his two other sons, Dominic and Christian, and teenage daughter Gabrielle, at the family home in Somerset.

Gabrielle, 17, said earlier: "We are feeling positive. It is looking like it is going to be OK."

Luxury developments

Mr Hodges, of North Petherton, is the only one of the four businessmen who is based in the UK.

The men were travelling from Salvador to Ilheus as part of a trip to consider a proposed housing development planned by Worldwide Destinations, a firm run by Mr Woodhall.

Mr Woodhall is a Swiss resident, according to Michael Lynn, a long-time friend and colleague.

Mr Every is believed to work for Worldwide Destinations from Brazil, where he lives.

The international marketing and development company, with headquarters in Spain and the UK, said it specialises in setting up luxury property developments.