BBC legend Craig Rich who exposed truth behind huge mystery dies at 86
The BBC presenter, who famously solved a huge mystery behind a tragic disappearance, leaves behind his wife of 62 years Pat and their three children Sarah, Jo and Thomas
Craig Rich famously solved a huge mystery behind a tragic disappearance
BBC legend Craig Rich has died aged 86.
The TV presenter, who famously solved a huge mystery behind a tragic disappearance, died on Sunday – leaving behind his wife of 62 years Pat and their three children Sarah, Jo and Thomas.
His family said in a statement that he had “died peacefully” and were looking forward to celebrating his life.
He enjoyed a 25-year career as part of the BBC Spotlight team in Plymouth from 1978 and was the first and longest-serving regional weather forecaster. Prior to joining the channel, he was a navigation adviser to The Sunday Times, which sponsors the single-handed Round the World Yacht Race.
During that time, he famously uncovered the true story behind yachtsman Donald Crowhurst, who mysteriously disappeared from his trimaran in the mid-Atlantic.
Craig Rich has died aged 86 (
BBC)
He had been taking part in The Golden Globe Race, which required entrants to start between 1 June and 31 October 1968 and pass through the Southern Ocean in the cummer. A £5,000 cash prize – now worth around £80,000 today – for posting the fastest time.
The Devon inventor had seemed set to win after making headlines by breaking speed records, but for the final month of his race there was radio silence from his vessel. His trimaran was later found in the South Atlantic with no one aboard on July 10 1969.
Rich was later asked to examine Crowhurst’s log books by Sunday Times editor Harold Evans and found that they revealed the inventor had lied about his position in the race before apparently taking his life. Crowhurst’s body was never found.
The gruelling race had been controverial at the time because no evidence of prior sailing experience had been needed to enter. Only one out of the nine men – Robin Knox-Johnston – was able to finish.
Paying tribute to Rich, former BBC Spotlight presenter Justin Leigh, said: “Whenever I think of Craig, I think of laughter. Smiling and laughter.
“He had a twinkle in his eye and an almost boy-ish love of telling jokes. So, no matter how stressful and panic-stricken the newsroom could be sometimes, the moment Craig arrived was a moment of joy every day. He brightened the day no end.”
