The first photo has emerged of the British father who feared he had drowned while rescuing his son after the boy got into trouble during a family trip to Lake Garda on Friday.
Sales director Aran Chada, 51, was with his partner Holly Mosley, 39, and their two children – a 14-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl – on a boat trip north of Italy.
The family, who live outside Loughborough, Leicestershire, are said to have just started their holiday, which included Mr Chada’s birthday on Tuesday, The Times reports.
While on a pleasure boat about 500 meters from the town of Limone, Mr. Chada saw his son struggling in the water and jumped in to save him.
An eyewitness said: “He managed to get the boy back to the boat, where he was pulled in by his mother, but the man then slipped under the surface and may have had a seizure.”
Sales director Aran Chada, 51, was with his partner Holly Mosley, 39, and their two children – a 14-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl – on a boat trip to northern Italy
Mr Chada’s partner then called emergency services, who located the boat and dispatched two coastguard vessels.
Helicopters, lifeboats, divers and a robotic submarine were also scoured the 300-meter-deep lake, but no trace of Mr Chada has yet been found.
Coast Guard Commander Antonello Ragadale said: ‘This man was a hero and we are afraid he drowned, but we are doing everything we can to find his body.
Divers came by helicopter but could do little because a steep rocky shelf descends to a great depth at that point, so a Civil Defense mini-sub was sent down and searched for the man late into the night, but in vain.
Ms Mosley and her children were returned to their hotel where they are reportedly supported by professional advisers.
According to his LinkedIn page, Mr. Chada worked for Global Energy Ventures, a company that serves oil fields in Africa.
Commander Ragadale added: ‘The search lasted several hours until dark on Friday and started again at first light on Saturday.
Friday was warm weather in Limone, but the water was reportedly cold (lifeboat pictured)
Limone sul Garda, a picturesque lakeside town in northern Italy, was the site of the accident
“The weather today is windy, so the search is proving difficult, but we will continue as long as it takes so that we can give the poor woman and her children some comfort.
“The whole family is very upset and has been advised as the search continues and the British Consulate has been informed.
‘In some places the water drops to more than 200 meters, which is why we use divers and underwater robots.
“The father was very brave in what he did. He saw his child in danger and he did what any parent would do and tried to save them, which he did, but unfortunately it looks like he lost his life.”
Known for its picturesque setting with dramatic mountains tumbling into the crystal clear lake, the area is a magnet for British holidaymakers and former Prime Minister Theresa May, who is a regular visitor and currently resides nearby.
An eyewitness told local media: “We were about 100 yards from shore when we heard a woman screaming for help.
“I looked around and she was on a boat with two kids screaming and pointing to the water, so we called 911 and they were there very quickly.”
Temperatures at the time of Friday afternoon’s incident were around 38°C, but the water was significantly colder and officials believe the man may have suffered a thermal shock.
In addition to coast guard units, a fire boat and some volunteer ships were used in the search. A helicopter also scanned the water, which reaches a maximum depth of 300 meters.
Known for its beautiful setting and sheer cliffs, the area is a magnet for British holidaymakers
A robotic camera that can scan the bottom of the lake was also deployed and a specialized team of divers was deployed.
A Coast Guard spokesman said: ‘The family rented a boat from a local company for two and a half hours and were due to return it shortly before the accident.
“The man dove in to rescue his eldest child who was in trouble and he managed to push him back to the boat, but he then got into trouble.
“It was very hot Friday afternoon, but the water was a good ten degrees colder, so it’s possible he had a seizure from the thermal shock.
The search lasted almost seven hours and ended when it got dark, but has now resumed. The family is in their hotel with the police and they have been offered a psychologist for support.’
The Foreign Office spokesman said: “We support the family of a British man reported missing in Italy who are in contact with Italian police.