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River search locates boy's body River search locates boy's body
(9 minutes later)
Rescue teams searching for a nine-year-old boy, swept away in a Snowdonia river, say they have found a body.Rescue teams searching for a nine-year-old boy, swept away in a Snowdonia river, say they have found a body.
Sean Laxen, from Norwich, slipped and fell into the river near the Conwy Falls at Betws-y-Coed, while walking with his mother and brother on Monday.Sean Laxen, from Norwich, slipped and fell into the river near the Conwy Falls at Betws-y-Coed, while walking with his mother and brother on Monday.
North Wales Police said the boy's body has not yet been formally identified but family have been informed.North Wales Police said the boy's body has not yet been formally identified but family have been informed.
Around 40 people have been involved in a search of the river and its banks.Around 40 people have been involved in a search of the river and its banks.
A North Wales Police spokeswoman said: "At approximately 6.10pm tonight thesearch team at Conwy found the body of a young boy. Supt Richard Brough said the search team at Conwy found the body of a young boy at around 1810 BST.
"No formal identification has been done yet. Police are trying to arrange a formal identifcation as soon as possible.
"At this time we do believe it is the body of the missing boy Sean and thefamily have been informed." 'Traumatic'
The search teams had been concentrating on a small number of deep water pools. "Earlier this evening the police underwater search team located the body of a young male in the deep water in the river," said Supt Brough.
Rescuers have described it as a treacherous stretch of river. "I cannot confirm that it is Sean at this moment in time. Until we have the body formally identified I will not be able to confirm that," he added.
At the moment we are still hopeful, we are still searching the areas and we are still looking for this young boy Inspector Mike Owen "The family have been informed, they are aware of the find and we are supporting them through this very traumatic time.
"We always hope to find a missing person safe and well and reunite them with the family - sadly that has not been the case today."
'Dangerous'
The search teams had been concentrating on a small number of deep water pools, on what was called a treacherous stretch of river.
"This area's got very steep wooded sides, so access is difficult - it's very, very steep indeed," said Roger Jones, from Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue."This area's got very steep wooded sides, so access is difficult - it's very, very steep indeed," said Roger Jones, from Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue.
"In full spate, the water can be 15ft up these sheer walls so it's a very nasty place.""In full spate, the water can be 15ft up these sheer walls so it's a very nasty place."
Repeat checks were carried out along the river
After being alerted on Monday afternoon, divers using thermal imaging cameras underwater continued looking for the boy until about 0115 BST on Tuesday morning.After being alerted on Monday afternoon, divers using thermal imaging cameras underwater continued looking for the boy until about 0115 BST on Tuesday morning.
Earlier on Tuesday, Inspector Mike Owen from North Wales Police said underwater teams had been searching the river again, while mountain rescue teams and search dogs combed the river banks. Earlier on Tuesday, North Wales Police underwater teams had been searching the river again, while mountain rescue teams and search dogs combed the river banks.
He added: "Once we completed the search last night, we identified four areas we will go back and research to make sure that nothing has happened with any water course flows.
Repeat checks are being carried out along the river
"From that we will recheck the banks to make sure every area has been checked at least three times."
The underwater search team has been assisted by experts from Plas y Brenin, a mountain activity centre, as well as local people doing bank searches.The underwater search team has been assisted by experts from Plas y Brenin, a mountain activity centre, as well as local people doing bank searches.
The river Conwy is believed to be swollen after recent rainfall.The river Conwy is believed to be swollen after recent rainfall.
Farmer Heather Hughes joined the search on Monday after hearing a child was missing.Farmer Heather Hughes joined the search on Monday after hearing a child was missing.
She said the stretch was very dangerous and also difficult to access, with "deep pools and rocks, where people can get trapped".She said the stretch was very dangerous and also difficult to access, with "deep pools and rocks, where people can get trapped".