In the early hours of Saturday 13th April, our On-Call volunteer team responded alongside colleagues from North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to reports of someone in the water near Blue Bridge in York. After an extensive search on foot and by boat by the various agencies, the teams were stood down. Later that day we were asked to revisit the area and conduct a further search on foot and using our lifeboats sonar system in daylight. During that search, an area of interest was identified by our boat crew. After liaising with the regional Police underwater search team the body of Sonny Ferry was recovered by Police divers on Sunday morning.
In memory of Sonny, the Ferry family have stated that they wish to raise funds to support our work in York.
During a meeting with members of Sonny's family, they decided that funds raised in his memory should be used to purchase a newer and more capable replacement lifeboat for our charity. The new lifeboat will feature a range of more capable equipment to help assist our team in carrying out routine patrols when responding to Call Outs, and during Search and Rescue incidents whilst operating on the River Ouse.
If you would like to donate in the memory of Sonny you can visit: