Ben Needham's grandfather describes disappearance as a 'terrible tragedy'

The grandfather of Ben Needham has described the disappearance of the toddler as a 'terrible tragedy'.
Ben NeedhamBen Needham
Ben Needham

Eddie Needham, aged 68, arrived on the Greek island of Kos today to speak to the search team looking for the remains of the 21-month-old, who disappeared in July 1991.

Detectives wanted the pensioner to recall what he remembers from the day that Ben went missing and the days afterwards.

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Ben was playing outside a farmhouse Eddie was renovating when he vanished.

Detectives are working on the theory that he may have been crushed and buried by a digger working on a neighbouring plot.

The digger driver died last year but a friend came forward in June to suggest the possibility.

The search team was granted permission yesterday to demolish an extension to the farmhouse built since Ben disappeared, and today the land underneath is being examined.

Ben's grandfather laid the foundations to the extension.

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In a statement read out on his behalf, near to the spot where Ben was last seen, Eddie thanked the police and volunteers helping with the search.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers and the police for all their hard work trying to find answers to Ben's disappearance," he said.

"They are working tirelessly in difficult conditions and we understand how emotionally and physically difficult it must be for them.

"I am aware many have taken time away from their families to help our family, it shows people care and how compassionate they can be.

"We have spend 25 years of our lives in limbo. We don't know if we will ever recover from this terrible tragedy."