The family of a New Zealand man who went missing in Ukraine while doing voluntary work say his body has been found.
Andrew Bagshaw and British colleague Christopher Parry have been missing since 9 January, when they failed to check in after an evacuation mission in the besieged town of Soledar.
In a statement released today, his parents, Dame Sue and professor Phil Bagshaw, said Andrew’s body was found in Eastern Ukraine.
Andrew Bagshaw.
Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
“He and a colleague, Chris Parry, were attempting to rescue an elderly woman from Soledar, in an area of intense military action, when their car was hit by an artillery shell.
“Andrew selflessly took many personal risks and saved many lives; we love him and are very proud indeed of what he did.”
A few days after news of Andrew going missing, paramilitary Russian group Wagner announced a body had been found in Ukraine carrying the passports and other documents of the missing men.
Andrew Bagshaw.
Photo: Supplied/Grzegorz Rybak
Officials in Ukraine, New Zealand and London had been trying to get more details but little was known about the circumstances of his death, Andrew’s parents said.
“Due to official legal processes in Ukraine it will be some time before Andrew’s remains are returned to New Zealand.”
Andrew, 47, was a brother – to three siblings – and an uncle to seven nephews and nieces.
He was a scientific researcher in Genetics but had been working as a volunteer aid worker in Ukraine since last April.
Dame Sue Bagshaw and Professor Phil Bagshaw, parents of aid worker Andrew Bagshaw, give a media conference following confirmation of their son’s death in Ukraine.
Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
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