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Body found in Culham believed to be missing swimmer Ellis Downes Body found in Culham believed to be missing swimmer Ellis Downes
(about 2 hours 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. The private dive team who found the body at around 23:00 BST on Monday criticised the "botched" police response, after they were stopped from finding the body for several hours.
His sister Alex had paid tribute to her "cheeky, loveable" brother. Ellis's sister Alex has 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".She wrote on Facebook that she was heartbroken and added: "I'm so sorry we didn't find you sooner".
Ellis's dad Darren thanked everyone who helped with the search and added: "Our world will never be the same again." Ellis's dad Darren thanked about 100 people who helped with the search and added: "Our world will never be the same again."
Updates on this story and more from OxfordshireUpdates on this story and more from Oxfordshire
'Police criticised''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.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.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.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."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.""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.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 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."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.Thames Valley Police was contacted for comment.