Search called off for Shifnal sailor who fell into Pacific Ocean
The search for a Shropshire sailor who fell into the Pacific Ocean on Saturday night has been called off.
Luke Stimson, 38, fell overboard whilst sailing 16,000 miles from Osaka in Japan to Southampton with his fiancée Laura Venon in their boat “Jonetsu”.
Mr Stimson from Shifnal plunged into the water about 600 miles west of Midway Atoll at around 11.30pm on Saturday.
His fiancée Laura was rescued from their yacht by helicopter after raising the alarm by satellite phone.
The US Coast Guard and Navy in Hawaii said they have suspended the search after 50 hours, pending new developments.
The search, which was assisted by Navy warship USS Peleliu, has spanned more than 2,300 square miles.
Mr Stimson, the Asian director of David Austin Roses in Japan, has been described as a "truly remarkable person".
In a statement the company said: "Our thoughts are with his family and we are hoping against hope that he will be found soon. He is a truly remarkable person and a much-valued employee."
The coast guard said it was unclear why Mr Stimson had fallen overboard in conditions which were not particularly bad.
The Pacific News Centre website said there were winds of 25mph and 6ft waves at the time of the incident.
