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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Missing' diver took ferry to UK | 'Missing' diver took ferry to UK |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A diver whose disappearance sparked a major three-day search off Guernsey had actually been on a ferry trip to the UK, police have revealed. | A diver whose disappearance sparked a major three-day search off Guernsey had actually been on a ferry trip to the UK, police have revealed. |
| Matthew Harvey, 35, went missing from Fermain Bay on Saturday and was picked up by a yacht nearby on Monday. | Matthew Harvey, 35, went missing from Fermain Bay on Saturday and was picked up by a yacht nearby on Monday. |
| His claim to have been knocked unconscious and stranded on rocks for two nights was widely reported. | His claim to have been knocked unconscious and stranded on rocks for two nights was widely reported. |
| In a statement, police said he had been in the UK while he was missing. Mr Harvey was unavailable for comment. | In a statement, police said he had been in the UK while he was missing. Mr Harvey was unavailable for comment. |
| Chief Inspector Ruari Hardy of Guernsey Police told the BBC that Mr Harvey got on a ferry on Saturday lunchtime and returned on Monday evening, about an hour and a half before he was found by a yacht crew in the sea off Fermain Bay. | Chief Inspector Ruari Hardy of Guernsey Police told the BBC that Mr Harvey got on a ferry on Saturday lunchtime and returned on Monday evening, about an hour and a half before he was found by a yacht crew in the sea off Fermain Bay. |
| Mr Harvey claimed that he had been swept by tides along the coast | Mr Harvey claimed that he had been swept by tides along the coast |
| He said: "A member of the public contacted us and we were then able to establish that he had been in the UK and we were able to track his movements." | He said: "A member of the public contacted us and we were then able to establish that he had been in the UK and we were able to track his movements." |
| Mr Harvey has been interviewed by police, but no decision has been taken on whether any action will be taken against him. | Mr Harvey has been interviewed by police, but no decision has been taken on whether any action will be taken against him. |
| It is understood that the search operation to rescue Mr Harvey cost at least £10,000. | It is understood that the search operation to rescue Mr Harvey cost at least £10,000. |
| Search co-ordinator, Guernsey harbourmaster Capt Peter Gill, said: "Criticisms in the media of our ability to conduct a search properly have proved to be unfounded. | |
| "But whatever annoyance I might have is tempered with sympathy for his family." | |
| At the time of the incident there were several hundred people searching for Mr Harvey, including teams from the RNLI and coastguards as well as friends and family. | At the time of the incident there were several hundred people searching for Mr Harvey, including teams from the RNLI and coastguards as well as friends and family. |
| Capt Gill said: "The most important thing is that no life was lost. That's the most important thing. | Capt Gill said: "The most important thing is that no life was lost. That's the most important thing. |
| "We would not want this sort of story to prevent anyone being involved in search and rescue in the future." | "We would not want this sort of story to prevent anyone being involved in search and rescue in the future." |
| Mr Harvey's family have also been unavailable for comment. | Mr Harvey's family have also been unavailable for comment. |