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Daily Record
Daily Record
World
Steven Rae

Tui flight mystery as man's body found on plane but no-one knows who he is

Police are trying to trace the identity of a man found dead in the undercarriage of a plane that landed at Gatwick Airport.

An e-fit was released yesterday of the man, who was hiding as a stowaway. His body was discovered under the jet at about 4am on December 7 last year. The Tui flight had originated in the Gambian capital of Banjul.

The man is thought to be in either his 20s or 30s, with British police attempting to identify him. There is no indication as to whether he is from Gambia, or may have come from a neighbouring country in a bid to enter the UK.

The High Commissioner for Gambia, Interpol, and HM Coroner are all working with Sussex Police in a bid to track down his next of kin, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Detective Inspector Darren Lillywhite, of Sussex Police said: "This was a tragic case, and we are working to establish the identity of the man found deceased.

"We have now produced an e-fit image of the young man, believed to be aged in his 20s or 30s, which we have shared with authorities in The Gambia. Somewhere, this man will have relatives or loved ones who do not know what has happened to him.

"We hope to be able to identify him for the purposes of an inquest to be held by HM Coroner, which may at least provide some answers and closure for those who knew him.

"In particular, we are seeking contact from anyone in the UK that may have been expecting to meet a friend or family member who failed to arrive in December, as well as anyone in The Gambia or neighbouring countries, who may have knowledge about an individual who made travel plans to come to the UK or Europe."

Anyone who recognises him can contact Sussex Police online, quoting 101 of 07/12, or contact a local police force or Interpol.

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