A boat used by a charity to help search for a missing woman has been damaged.
Wiltshire Search and Rescue are faced with a large repair bill after the inflatable’s propeller struck an object in the River Avon, in Monkton Park, Chippenham, yesterday (Monday 26 June).
It’s believed a trolley or other large metal item was below the surface – causing damage to both the propeller and propeller guard, a job that can require specialist work in Southampton to fix.
The incident happened as volunteers were deployed in the hunt for missing Fiona Edson, who has not been seen for nearly two days.
“We get no statutory funding to provide search and rescue services to the communities of Wiltshire”, a spokesperson for Wiltshire Search and Rescue said.
“Debris in the river (we think possibly a shopping trolley) means a trip to Southampton and an expensive repair for our boat engine. Thankfully the propeller guard did its job and took the brunt of it.”
If you’d like to make a donation towards the boat’s repair work, click here.
