An 18-year-old boy who died after entering the River Wye was completing a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) expedition, it has been confirmed. The boy's body was found on Tuesday evening after a multi-agency response was launched.
Search and Recovery Operation
On June 30, police, fire and mountain rescue were called to the River Wye at Glasbury, in Powys, after reports that the boy had entered the water before going missing. After hours of searching, police found a man's body. The A483 was closed in both directions while emergency services responded to the incident.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: "A multi-agency operation has taken place at the River Wye in Glasbury this evening, following a report that an 18-year-old male had entered the water and could not be located. Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Mountain Rescue and the National Police Air Service have searched the area since the report was made at 6.30pm. Sadly, the body of a male has been located. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time."
Duke of Edinburgh's Award Statement
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award confirmed on Wednesday evening that the teenager had been on a DofE expedition in Powys when the tragedy occurred. They said they would be working with the relevant authorities to understand how the incident happened.
A DofE spokesperson said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that a young person has drowned while on a DofE expedition in Powys, Wales. Our thoughts are with the young person's family, together with all those who were taking part. We will do everything we can to support them at this difficult time. DofE is liaising closely with the young person's college and relevant authorities to understand how this tragic incident happened. We are offering our full support."
Emergency services remained in the area and asked members of the public to stay away while enquiries continued. The incident has prompted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the drowning.
