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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
(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.
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. The private dive team who found the body at about 23:00 BST on Monday criticised the "botched" police response, after they were stopped from searching for several hours.
Ellis's sister Alex has paid tribute to her "cheeky, loveable" brother. Ellis' 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 said on Facebook she was heartbroken and described his death as a "terrible nightmare".
Ellis's dad Darren thanked about 100 people who helped with the search and added: "Our world will never be the same again." She added: "I'm so sorry we didn't find you sooner."
Ellis' dad Darren Downes 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, from Harwell, near Didcot.
There have been criticisms of the police for scaling back their search and allegedly refusing to allow a private dive team into the water. Police have been criticised 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. The force previously blamed "poor visibility" in the river for having "hampered" underwater searches.
It said an officer had been assigned to work closely with the family "and provide support and guidance to help them at this difficult time". It said an officer had been assigned to support the family.
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, from private dive company Specialist Group International - which found the body, said 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. He said it was not until Mr Downes arrived and threatened to go into the river himself, that police allowed his team to begin searching.
"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. "It was too slow, it could have been done a lot quicker, and had him out by probably 17:30," he added.
"I love you so much words are not enough, my beautiful angel." Ed Vaizey, MP for Didcot and Wantage, has sent condolences to Ellis' family and said he would offer his support "in any way which they feel is appropriate".
Mr Faulding told BBC Oxford his team answered an appeal from Ellis's family, but were prevented from searching for him when they arrived. However, he said it would be "wholly inappropriate" to comment further about the criticisms of the police.
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. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the force had not referred itself over the matter.
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 has not yet responded directly to the allegations.
Thames Valley Police was contacted for comment.