Body found in search for boy, 13, who fell in river Thames on way to school

Body found in search for 13-year-old school boy

A body now has been found in the search for a missing school boy who fell into the River Thames in London just over a week ago, police have announced. The 13-year-old boy is thought to have fallen from Tower Bridge into the Thames during his walk to school, Ark Globe Academy, in south London on 20 April. After an eight day search for the missing teenager, which involved numerous firefighters, police marine divers, the RNLI and a helicopter, police have confirmed that a body has now been found. While formal identification of the body has not taken place, officers believe that the body belongs to that of the missing teenager. Police have said that the boy's parents have been informed. A spokesperson for City of London Police said: "At around midday on Wednesday, April 28, a body was recovered from the River Thames by marine units which we believe to be that of a 13-year-old who has been missing since Tuesday April, 20. "His family have been informed but at this time formal identification has not yet taken place." In a letter from the headteacher of the school, Matt Jones told parents that the pupil, who is in Year 8, took the bus to school but got off at Tower Bridge, which is before his usual stop. The boy then fell into the River Thames dressed in his school uniform, it has been reported.