Mystery as man found frozen to death in plane undercarriage at Gatwick Airport

15 February 2024 , 08:58

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Sussex Police issued an e-fit of the man found dead (Image: Sussex Police)

An e-fit of an unidentified man who was discovered frozen to death in the undercarriage of a plane has been released by police.

An inquest into the death heard this week the man died of hypothermia. However, a coroner was unable to confirm the man's name as, despite efforts of authorities, he hasn't been formally identified.

The court heard there was no identification on the man's person at the time, and the international and national efforts to find out who he was continues - more than one year on after the gruesome find. Sussex Police had issue the e-fit after the discovery was made following the plane's arrival at Gatwick’s north terminal at around 3.30am on December 7, 2022.

He was wearing a dark-coloured fleece top and tracksuit type bottoms, no socks and plastic-style sandals. According to a police report, the plane’s pilot said detailed checks of the aircraft were carried out before taking off from The Gambia and nothing appeared "out of the ordinary".

Ground crews were with the aeroplane and the pilot noted it was dark. Joanne Andrews, area coroner for West Sussex, this week reached a narrative conclusion over the man’s death, with evidence suggesting he got into the aircraft before take-off in The Gambia. The coroner said: "It’s sad he’s not been able to be identified and his family advised. (There is) no evidence how he came to be on the plane, but he sadly died of hypothermia."

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Sussex Police previously issued an e-fit image of the man, who was believed to have been in his 20s or 30s and information has been shared with authorities in the west African country. The coroner closed the inquest but added it could be re-opened if more information comes to light.

Bradley Jolly