Police searching for missing soldier Liam Potts, 22, have found a body in the River Tyne close to Wylam Bridge in Northumberland. Formal identification is yet to take place, but Liam's next of kin have been informed.
Disappearance and search
Liam, who served with the Coldstream Guards, was last seen heading towards Wylam from Wylam Bridge at about 12.20am on Saturday August 15. Concerns were raised after he had not returned home following a night out with friends.
Extensive searches have been carried out since he was reported missing. Police confirmed the body was found yesterday.
Police statement
A police update read: "A body has sadly been found in the search for missing Northumberland man Liam. Concerns were raised on Saturday after the 22-year-old had not returned home following a night out with friends."
"He was last seen at about 12.20am that day, heading into Wylam from Wylam Bridge. Extensive searches have been carried out since and we made the sad find today in the River Tyne close to Wylam Bridge."
"Formal identification is yet to take place but Liam’s next of kin have been notified and are currently being supported by specially-trained officers. We do not believe there to be any third-party involvement and a report will be prepared for the coroner."
Arrests and tributes
In a further update, police said: "Two men aged 22 and 23 were arrested in connection with a report of a collision on Wylam Bridge prior to Liam's last known sighting. They both remain on police bail pending further enquiries."
"We can confirm Liam was on the bridge at the time of the collision. However, he was not an occupant of the vehicle and there are no reports suggesting that he was injured in the collision."
Tributes have been pouring in for Liam. One Facebook user wrote: "This is so incredibly sad, such a young life so full of promise, it is a desperately difficult time for his family, friends and everyone who knew Liam. Respect and thoughts to all of them and the specialist units from Northumbria Police and their colleagues, this type of situation has a profound impact upon all of them."
Another commented: "How desperately sad. I think the whole of the Prudhoe area has been on tenterhooks and praying for positive news. Such devastating news. Thoughts and prayers to all of Liam’s family and his friends and colleagues. RIP Liam."
