West Sussex firefighters to return from New Zealand earthquake zone (From The Argus)

West Sussex firefighters to return from New Zealand earthquake zone

8:00am Friday 4th March 2011 in News By Ruth Lumley

Six West Sussex firefighters who are part of the search and rescue team helping victims of the New Zealand earthquake are expected to come home next week.

Jon Lacey, from Haywards Heath, Ian Smith, from Worthing, Peter Thorpe-Hincks, from Steyning, Neil Graham, from Shoreham, Brian Vincent, from Worthing, Rob Negus, Hove, who are part of the West Sussex technical rescue unit, which is based in Horley, arrived in Christchurch on February 24, to help with the rescue effort.

The New Zealand government confirmed yesterday 'with considerable sorrow and frustration' that the mission for emergency teams responding to the earthquake has now switched from search and rescue to one of body recovery.

The West Sussex firefighters are expected to be on the third plane landing at Heathrow on Tuesday afternoon.