Police search overnight for teenager missing in river in Gloucestershire
Police were called at around 10pm on Sunday after the boy was spotted in the River Thames
Last updated 1st May 2023
Police are searching for a teenager who went missing in a river overnight after he failed to resurface while playing in the water with friends.
Gloucestershire Police were called at about 10pm on Sunday after the boy was spotted in the River Thames near Lechlade on Thames.
Four teenagers believed to be about 17 had been in the river when one of the boys went missing. Some of the group had entered the water to try and find him.
The National Police Air Service, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Severn Area Rescue Association carried out searches into the early hours on Monday.
The boy was not found and specialist search teams launched a fresh search for him on Monday.
Residents who live near the incident told the PA news agency police launched a rescue boat from Lechlade marina and slowly searched the water.
Officers were also seen searching the water and park with torches. A helicopter was seen circling above the area on Sunday night and Monday morning.
A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said: “Searches have been taking place in the River Thames after a report a teenager was in the water near Lechlade on Thames.
“Police were called at around 10pm yesterday (Sunday April 30) and emergency services attended.
“Officers have been supported by the National Police Air Service, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Severn Area Rescue Association while searches continued into the early hours of this morning (Monday).
“The teenage boy has not yet been located and specialist search teams will be continuing with the search today (Monday). His next of kin are aware.
“A group of four had been at the location together and some had entered the water to try and find the boy. The others are accounted for.”
A Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: “We were called at 10.03pm by the coastguard to reports that some teenagers, believed to be aged about 17, had been playing in the river at Lechlade and one hadn’t resurfaced.
“We assisted the search by sending three crews from Fairford, Gloucester South and Tewkesbury along with boat crews.
“We liaised with coastguards and the police who were coordinating the search and came away from the scene at about 4am.”
The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service are searching the scene on Monday.
Teams from Severn Area Rescue Association teams at Sharpness, Tewkesbury and Upton-on-Severn have also joined the search on Monday.