Bomb expert killed in Ukraine repatriated

The remains of a bomb disposal specialist who was killed in Ukraine have been repatriated to the Isle of Man.

Chris Garrett died in an incident in Izyum, in the east of the country, on 6 May.

The 40-year-old was volunteering with the Ukraine National Guard, after previously helping in the country in both 2014 and 2017. He returned again when war broke out in February 2022.

Veteran Jim Quinn, who organised a cavalcade to escort Mr Garrett to his home town of Peel, said "taking him down through his home town one last time" was a "privilege and an honour".

Mr Garrett had been working to clear mines and train Ukrainian troops after co-founding a humanitarian and mine clearance charity called Prevail Together.

'An honour'

Mr Quinn served in the Royal Corps of Signals in the British Army for 14 years, including tours of Bosnia and Afghanistan.

He said: "The respect and admiration that Chris has out in Ukraine is mirrored here within both the Ukrainian community and the Manx community."

The veteran first met the bomb disposal specialist in 2014, later joining him in Ukraine for two missions delivering humanitarian aid in Kyiv.

Mr Garrett's remains were met with a guard of honour, with members of his family also present.

The Moddey Dhoo Motorcycle Club then led the cavalcade from Ballasalla to Peel on the west coast of the island.

Chairman Brian Corrie said: "It's an honour to be able to do something to help the family."

He added that one of their members also served in Ukraine with Mr Garrett, and was among those taking part.