Grandson pays tribute to "much-loved" grandfather found dead in a river

Ernest Lancaster’s body was recovered from the River Don by RAF Sea King helicopter three weeks after the 82-year-old was last seen. 

Police appealed for help from the public after the pensioner, known as Ern, went missing after leaving his home address at Alric Drive, Brinsworth, at around 4pm on April 7.

Mr Lancaster’s family thanked the emergency services and said that they had been “overwhelmed” by support from the community where he lived all his life.

His grandson Tom Chipchase said: “My grandfather lived all his life in Brinsworth and spent most of his working life at the local slag reduction plant.

“He was a great husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and was due to be a groomsman at our wedding in the summer.

“Ern was also a great friend to many people and a true gentleman who was loved by all who knew him.

“Our family has been overwhelmed by the support of friends and neighbours who gave up so much of their own time to help look for him and we would like to thank them all for their efforts.

“We would also like to thank the police and other emergency services for their relentless search, in what turned out to be a prolonged and tragic rescue.

“He will be truly missed by all of us, and will forever be in our thoughts.”

Before Mr Lancaster’s body was found, extensive searches, including the mobilisation of the South Yorkshire Police helicopter, were made of a number of possible routes and areas he visited.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned last week by the Rotherham Coroner Ms Nicola Mundy.