“It’s Devastating to Have Lost Michael” TV Doctor’s Body Found on Greek Island After Four-Day Search
The body of TV doctor Michael Mosley was discovered in a rocky area beside Agia Marina on Symi island after four days of intense searching. Five firefighters left the island with the body on a stretcher at around 2:45 PM local time, having arrived 35 minutes earlier.
In a heartfelt statement, his wife, Dr. Clare Bailey, expressed her profound grief and gratitude. “I don’t know quite where to begin with this. It’s devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind, and brilliant husband. We had an incredibly lucky life together. We loved each other very much and were so happy together,” she said, told CNN.
“I am incredibly proud of our children, their resilience, and their support over the past few days. My family and I have been hugely comforted by the outpouring of love from people from around the world. It’s clear that Michael meant a huge amount to so many of you.”
Dr. Bailey shared the sorrowful yet brave account of her husband’s final moments: “We’re taking comfort in the fact that he so very nearly made it. He did an incredible climb, took the wrong route, and collapsed where he couldn’t be easily seen by the extensive search team. Michael was an adventurous man, it’s part of what made him so special”, via BBC.
Gratitude was extended to the local community and those involved in the search. “We are so grateful to the extraordinary people on Symi who have worked tirelessly to help find him. Some of these people on the island, who hadn’t even heard of Michael, worked from dawn till dusk unasked. We’re also very grateful to the press who have dealt with us with great respect,” she added.
Reflecting on their life together, Dr. Bailey said, “I feel so lucky to have our children and my amazing friends. Most of all, I feel so lucky to have had this life with Michael. Thank you all.”
Dr. Mosley disappeared four days ago during a trek, prompting rescuers to search nearby caves known as ‘the Abyss’. He and his wife were on holiday with another couple when he was reported missing on Wednesday afternoon.
The rocky terrain became the focal point of the search after all sea searches were stood down on Saturday, discounting theories that he had fallen into the sea. During the search, one emergency worker had to be stretchered away after falling on the rough terrain.
The mayor of Symi said he had been on his way to search in a cave when he saw the body on the rocks above the beach. Agia Marina bar manager Ilias Tsavaris, 38, was flagged by the mayor to check the area. “They saw it with the boat,” he said. “The mayor came and saw something so that is when they called me and said ‘hey they saw something, go and check there’.”
Tsavaris described the moment he found the body: “So when I walked up I saw something like a body to make sure. You don’t see a dead body every day; it’s not a warzone. It’s summer, you are supposed to have fun and swimming.”
He added that rescuers had searched the area daily with helicopters.
Fresh CCTV had shown Dr. Mosley walking towards the hills on the Greek island before his disappearance, and his family had flown out to the island to assist in the search.