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Search for British boy missing on French island | Search for British boy missing on French island |
(about 2 hours later) | |
French police are searching for a 12-year-old British boy who went missing during a storm on an island off the south coast of France two days ago. | French police are searching for a 12-year-old British boy who went missing during a storm on an island off the south coast of France two days ago. |
It is thought Pierre Barnes was exploring the island of Porquerolles by bike when the weather turned on Saturday. | It is thought Pierre Barnes was exploring the island of Porquerolles by bike when the weather turned on Saturday. |
Pierre, from Grantham in Lincolnshire, was on a half-term family holiday. | Pierre, from Grantham in Lincolnshire, was on a half-term family holiday. |
Investigators have ruled out abduction, as there were no boats leaving Porquerolles when Pierre disappeared. | Investigators have ruled out abduction, as there were no boats leaving Porquerolles when Pierre disappeared. |
Rescuers have found one of the boy's shoes on a coastal path about 3km from the rented house where the family was staying, alongside his bike with its chain off. | Rescuers have found one of the boy's shoes on a coastal path about 3km from the rented house where the family was staying, alongside his bike with its chain off. |
Police told the BBC they have a large team of officers looking for Pierre, as well as dogs and helicopters. They have widened the investigation to include the surrounding sea. | Police told the BBC they have a large team of officers looking for Pierre, as well as dogs and helicopters. They have widened the investigation to include the surrounding sea. |
The boy went missing just hours after his family arrived on Porquerolles, a Mediterranean island close to Toulon. | The boy went missing just hours after his family arrived on Porquerolles, a Mediterranean island close to Toulon. |
'Resilient' | |
French police prosecutor Xavier Tarabeuz said Pierre was holidaying with his parents Stephen and Florence Barnes. | French police prosecutor Xavier Tarabeuz said Pierre was holidaying with his parents Stephen and Florence Barnes. |
Mr Tarabeuz added that the boy was one of four siblings, the others aged 17, 15 and 14. He did not reveal their gender. | Mr Tarabeuz added that the boy was one of four siblings, the others aged 17, 15 and 14. He did not reveal their gender. |
Frank Hedley, head teacher at King's School in Grantham where Pierre had recently started as a pupil, said he was "shocked" to hear the Year Seven pupil was missing. | |
In a statement he added: "Although Pierre only joined the school in September 2012, in that short space of time he has established himself as a popular member of his year group and elected form captain. | |
"As a King's boy we know that Pierre is resilient and we continue to hope that he is safe and well". | |
Porquerolles island is covered in pine forest, with rocky trails leading down to some of the beaches. | Porquerolles island is covered in pine forest, with rocky trails leading down to some of the beaches. |
About 150 local volunteers are believed to have helped search for Pierre on Sunday. | About 150 local volunteers are believed to have helped search for Pierre on Sunday. |
A Foreign Office spokeswoman has confirmed that a British national has been reported missing in France. | A Foreign Office spokeswoman has confirmed that a British national has been reported missing in France. |
She added: "We are in touch with the French authorities and we are providing consular assistance." | She added: "We are in touch with the French authorities and we are providing consular assistance." |
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