Fiancee weeps as fears for lost fireman mount
THE fiancee of a missing firefighter broke down in tears and pleaded with him to “just come home”.
Father-of-four Anthony Knott, has not been seen since Friday after disappearing during a Christmas night out with his workmates.
He was last seen at about 7.30pm at The Lamb pub in Lewes, East Sussex, where he was celebrating with 11 of his London Fire Brigade colleagues.
There is nothing to suggest Anthony left the Lewes area and Sussex Police are focusing their continuing search efforts in the town.
There are increasing concerns for his welfare and fears that he may have come to some harm.
His fiancee, Lucy Otto, described the 33-year-old’s disappearance as “a complete mystery”.
Hurt
Speaking during a television interview, she said: “I don’t understand how someone can just walk out of a pub and disappear.
“There are no eyewitness statements, there’s not much CCTV. There’s nothing really to go on.
“And to be gone for this long, I just do not understand it.”
There has been no activity on Anthony’s phone since 7.20pm on Friday and it has been off since 1am on Saturday, while his bank card hasn’t been used.
Lucy said: “I know there was bad flooding. I don’t know if he’s tried to come home and come across some water and hurt himself.”
She sobbed as she spoke about their Christmas plans saying: “We were really excited. I can’t even think about focusing on Christmas. Christmas Day is meant to be a fun, family time.”
She called for anyone outside the pub or walking or driving past on Friday evening to contact police with any details they can recall.
And, in a direct message to her fiance, she added: “If you’re thinking, ‘Oh I can’t come home, this is too big now’, honestly, you don’t realise how many people want you back regardless of the situation you left in – if that is the case. So please just come home.”
Lucy emphasised that Anthony, of Lincoln Green, Orpington, Kent, had “every intention of coming home” after his night out.
She added: “I’ve been asked if there was any indication of depression or worries or troubles but I’ve racked my brains.There is nothing.
“I don’t think he’s gone off and hurt himself.”
Sussex Police thanked volunteers for helping in the search teams but urged them to now leave it to the emergency services.
Chief Inspector Anita Turner said: “We thank everyone who has supported efforts to find Anthony.
“But we also have to consider public safety and would now ask that the ongoing search is left to the emergency services. We nevertheless continue to welcome any information from anyone who has seen him since he left The Lamb.”
Anthony is six foot tall, of medium build with brown hair.