This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-36255174
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Body found in Culham believed to be missing swimmer Ellis Downes | Body found in Culham believed to be missing swimmer Ellis Downes |
(35 minutes later) | |
A body believed to be missing swimmer Ellis Downes has been found by divers. | A body believed to be missing swimmer Ellis Downes has been found by divers. |
The body was found close to where the 16-year-old disappeared while playing in the River Thames at Culham, Oxfordshire, on Saturday evening. | The body was found close to where the 16-year-old disappeared while playing in the River Thames at Culham, Oxfordshire, on Saturday evening. |
About 100 people joined then search after police efforts were scaled back. The body was found around 23:00 BST on Monday by divers. | About 100 people joined then search after police efforts were scaled back. The body was found around 23:00 BST on Monday by divers. |
His sister Alex had paid tribute to her "cheeky, loveable" brother. | His sister Alex had paid tribute to her "cheeky, loveable" brother. |
She wrote on Facebook that she was heartbroken and added: "I'm so sorry we didn't find you sooner". | |
Updates on this story and more from Oxfordshire | Updates on this story and more from Oxfordshire |
'Police criticised' | |
A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said formal identification had not yet taken place, but the body was believed to be Ellis Downes. | A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said formal identification had not yet taken place, but the body was believed to be Ellis Downes. |
There have been criticisms of the police for scaling back their search and allegedly refusing to allow a private dive team into the water. | |
Thames Valley Police previously blamed "poor visibility" in the river for having "hampered" underwater searches for Ellis. | Thames Valley Police previously blamed "poor visibility" in the river for having "hampered" underwater searches for Ellis. |
Peter Faulding, the chief executive of private dive company Specialist Group International - which found the teenager - told the BBC he had "never seen such a botched operation" in his career. | |
Paying tribute on Facebook to Ellis, from Harwell, near Didcot, Ms Downes said: "There are no words to explain how I'm feeling right now, I thought I would wake up and it would of just all been a terrible nightmare. | |
"All I have now are the happy memories of the cheeky, loveable, handsome young man I was proud to call my brother, and I will cherish those memories forever. | |
"I love you so much words are not enough, my beautiful angel." | |
Mr Faulding told BBC Oxford his team answered an appeal from Ellis's family, but were prevented from searching for him when they arrived. | |
He said it was not until Ellis's father Darren arrived and threatened to go into the river himself, did police allow his team to begin searching. | |
He said: "It was too slow, it could have been done a lot quicker, and had him out by probably 17:30." | |
Thames Valley Police was contacted for comment. |