Ray Hymas PSNI PSNI

THE SEARCH FOR two Englishmen whose light aircraft crashed into the sea off the coast of Antrim has failed to find the men.

Terry Driffield, 66, and Ray Hymas, 68, both from North Yorkshire, have been missing since last Thursday and both are feared dead.

In a statement this evening, the families of the two men have thanked all of the agencies that assisted in the search for the pair – especially volunteers that gave up their time.

The search has been a large multi-agency effort involving the PSNI, the Community Rescue Service, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the RNLI, the Northern Ireland Environment agency and North West Mountain Rescue.

A PSNI helicopter was also involved in the search of the area.

The Community Rescue Service team are set to continue looking for the men.

“I would like to thank all agencies concerned for their continued support,” said Inspector Michael McDonnell from the PSNI.

Over the coming days we will continue to work with search and rescue teams, when called upon. I would also ask the public to be vigilant if they are near Glenarm Harbour and coastlines.

Terry Driffield PSNI PSNI

On Friday the Coast Guard in the UK confirmed that debris in the search for the plane had been uncovered.

The pair had been flying from Derry City Airport on course for Scotland. They were last spotted near Cushendun in Antrim.

Read: Debris of plane missing off the coast of Antrim found

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