The One Show hosts Lauren Laverne and Jermaine Jenas paid a heartfelt tribute to Andrew Munson, who was the local harbour master who took part in the search for the Penlee Lifeboat, which went missing in 1981. As the clip of Helen Glover’s trip to Cornwall ended, Lauren announced the sad news that Andrew had passed away over the weekend.
Lauren introduced the segment and said: “On Sunday, the residents of Mousehole in Cornwall remember those who lost their lives in the RNLI rescue mission that ended in tragedy 40 years ago.”
Jermaine added: “Olympic rower and double gold medallist Helen Glover went to find out how the locals are honouring the incredible members of their community, and how the disaster has inspired the next generation of volunteers.”
In a voiceover on the film, Helen explained: “Growing up in Cornwall brings back memories of fine and blissful times.
“I was always aware of a tragedy that happened before I was born, an event that is especially remembered here this time of year.
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“On the 19th of December 1981, the Penlee lifeboat set out into hurricane-force winds to rescue a distressed ship called the Union Star.
“Despite a heroic rescue attempt, the weather conditions proved deadly, neither boat returned.
“16 souls were lost that night, men, women, and children including the entire crew of the lifeboat all local volunteers. In such a small, close-knit community, no one was left untouched by the tragedy,” she revealed.
Neil Rockman and his father Nigel both volunteered to be on the lifeboat despite the savage weather conditions.
Andrew explained: “We walked the whole length of the coastal path shouting for the lifeboat, just hoping and praying that everything was alright.
“But it just wasn’t, they were just part of like a long lost family we’ll never forget them, never.”
As the clip came to an end, Lauren revealed: “Sadly, Andrew Munson, who featured in that film, died at the weekend.”
Paying tribute she continued: “He was such an integral part of the Penlee lifeboat crew, and our thoughts are very much with his friends and family at this time.”
The Penlee disaster happened just before Christmas and is always particularly poignant at this time of year.
Each year the residents of Mousehole switch the lights off for one hour to hour those who lost their lives.
Viewers of the show took to Twitter to pay their respects with @MarkBinmore writing: “Remembering Mousehole and the Penlee lifeboat disaster, it bring whole new meaning to the word volunteer.”
@jonanor added: “#TheOneShow proper sad, remember the Mousehole disaster like it was yesterday.”
@j_sapier commented: “#TheOneShow heartbreaking story, volunteers are truly posthumous heroes.” (sic)
The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One.
Published at Tue, 07 Dec 2021 20:52:00 +0000
The One Show pays tribute as guest contributor dies: ‘Thoughts are with his family’
