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Man who faces deportation, relives moment his friend fell into River Ness

Emergency services, including coastguard helicopter, police, ambulance and the North Kessock Lifeboat search the River Ness after Marek Michalak fell
Emergency services, including coastguard helicopter, police, ambulance and the North Kessock Lifeboat search the River Ness after Marek Michalak fell

 

A Polish man who is facing deportation has opened his heart for the first time about his battle to stop his friend from being swept away in the River Ness.

Kamil Luczak revealed that he has been suffering from insomnia since his compatriot Marek Michalak disappeared after falling into the river from Inverness’ Greig Street bridge last month .

But he claimed that he had not been able to see a doctor despite repeated attempts at the Colnbrook immigration removal centre in London, where he is being held in relation to separate issues.

Yesterday, Mr Luczak issued a statement to the Press and Journal about his ordeal.

He said: “I feel low because I’m imprisoned again.

“I really wanted to help Marek but I couldn’t. Everything happened so fast, both the accident and then my detention.”

He added: “I have not been seen by a doctor since my detention. My appointment has been cancelled four times. I suffer from insomnia.”

A full-scale emergency response was mounted on January 31 when Mr Michalak fell into the river, but no-one has ever been recovered.

Mr Luczak was detained by immigration officers just a few days after unsuccessfully trying to save his friend.

It is understood that the move to deport him relates to irregular payments of fines and a missed court appearance in Inverness.

However, his support worker has claimed that he is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and should be hospitalised not deported.

Highland MSP and Scottish Greens justice spokesman John Finnie has also called for Mr Luczak to be shown some “common humanity” and released from the “soulless detention centre”.

Representatives from the AIRE Centre, a specialist charity which assists marginalised people in vulnerable circumstances, helped Mr Luczak lodge an appeal against his deportation on Wednesday.

The Home Office is now understood to have 10 days to set a date for hearing.

The Press and Journal approached the Home Office for a comment yesterday but did not receive a response.