Two men have been re-arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of a 22-year-old soldier whose body was recovered from the River Tyne. Liam Potts was reported missing on August 15, and his body was found on Tuesday a short distance from Wylam Bridge near Newcastle upon Tyne.
Northumbria Police said today that the two men, aged 22 and 23, remain in police custody. At the time Mr Potts' body was discovered, officers believed there was no third-party involvement in his death.
Disturbance and collision reported
Before Mr Potts was reported missing, police received a report of a disturbance at The Boathouse in Wylam, followed by a collision on Wylam Bridge. The crash involved a vehicle and a group of pedestrians, leaving a man and a woman, both in their 20s, with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
The man remains in hospital for treatment, but the woman has been discharged. Northumbria Police said officers still believe Mr Potts was not an occupant of the vehicle nor was he struck by it. He was last seen leaving the bridge on foot towards Wylam.
Investigation into link between collision and death
Officers are now working to establish whether the disturbance and crash led to Mr Potts entering the water. Detective Inspector Rachael Rutherford of Northumbria Police said: "Our thoughts remain with Liam’s family during this difficult time."
She added: "The facts remain the same that Liam was on the bridge at the time of the collision, but he was not an occupant of the vehicle and was not struck by the vehicle. Enquiries have revealed that Liam, for reasons yet to be established, entered the water within minutes of the collision."
Tributes and appeal for calm
Mr Potts has been described by his family as "the heart and soul of any room", with multiple tributes lining the bridge in his memory. Det Insp Rutherford said: "We know there has been a lot of confusion and speculation in the community. It’s clear that Liam was a very popular young man. We are committed to finding answers for Liam’s family and we will continue to provide updates on our investigation."
She urged the public to avoid speculation online and in communities, as it could impact the ongoing investigation, and asked people to respect the family’s privacy at this tragic time.
