Stricken ferry - Wickham family waits for news

A WICKHAM family is anxiously waiting tonight (Sunday) for more news of their loved one aboard a stricken ferry.

Nick Channing-Williams, the 37-year-old son of the late film producer Simon Channing-Williams and his wife Dorothy, who lives in Wickham, is among those on board the burning Norman Atlantic off the Greek coast.

Speaking from her home this evening, Mrs Channing-Williams said her son had called home to let her know he was alive and well but that there had been an anxious wait since.

His sister Nicola added: "We've heard the ferry is being towed and he is definitely still on it. He is okay as far as we know because someone spoke to him at 5.30pm and he was in high spirits. It's all been a bit hectic and we'll know more in the morning."

Mr Channing-Williams is aboard the ferry with fiancee Regina Theofilli.

More than 150 passengers are reported to have been winched to safety so far but at least one person is said to have died.

Mr Channing-Williams, who lives in Greece, is a competitive show jumper and trains young riders.
His father, whose work includes the Oscar-winning The Constant Gardener, died in 2009.