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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| River body found is missing boy | River body found is missing boy |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A body found in a Snowdonia river by search teams is that of a missing nine-year-old boy, police said. | A body found in a Snowdonia river by search teams is that of a missing nine-year-old boy, police said. |
| Sean Laxen, from Norwich, was swept away after falling near the Conwy Falls at Betws-y-Coed while walking with his mother and brother on Monday. | Sean Laxen, from Norwich, was swept away after falling near the Conwy Falls at Betws-y-Coed while walking with his mother and brother on Monday. |
| After almost 27 hours of searching, rescue teams found the body at about 1810 BST on Tuesday in a deep pool close to where Sean had disappeared. | After almost 27 hours of searching, rescue teams found the body at about 1810 BST on Tuesday in a deep pool close to where Sean had disappeared. |
| Police divers, mountain rescue and firefighters had helped in the search. | Police divers, mountain rescue and firefighters had helped in the search. |
| North Wales Police confirmed at 2330 BST on Tuesday that the body was that of Sean Laxen. | North Wales Police confirmed at 2330 BST on Tuesday that the body was that of Sean Laxen. |
| Supt Richard Brough said it was very upsetting for the rescue teams who had worked so hard in the hope of achieving a positive outcome. | Supt Richard Brough said it was very upsetting for the rescue teams who had worked so hard in the hope of achieving a positive outcome. |
| He said: "It's extremely distressing. It is the worst possible end. We always hoped to find somebody safe and well and able to give them treatment if they had been injured but unfortunately this has not been the case today. | He said: "It's extremely distressing. It is the worst possible end. We always hoped to find somebody safe and well and able to give them treatment if they had been injured but unfortunately this has not been the case today. |
| Rescue teams had been searching for almost 27 hours | Rescue teams had been searching for almost 27 hours |
| "The family are very distraught. I think they were half expecting it as time has gone on but nevertheless, you always cling on to hope until you hear otherwise. | "The family are very distraught. I think they were half expecting it as time has gone on but nevertheless, you always cling on to hope until you hear otherwise. |
| "We are supporting them through this very traumatic time." | "We are supporting them through this very traumatic time." |
| Sean and his family had been staying in a rented cottage in the area. | Sean and his family had been staying in a rented cottage in the area. |
| He had been walking along a footpath when he slipped 6ft and his mother and brother heard him fall into the water. | He had been walking along a footpath when he slipped 6ft and his mother and brother heard him fall into the water. |
| His mother alerted the emergency services at around 1515 BST on Monday and a massive search and rescue operation of the river Conwy and its banks was launched involving around 40 people. | His mother alerted the emergency services at around 1515 BST on Monday and a massive search and rescue operation of the river Conwy and its banks was launched involving around 40 people. |
| Swollen river | Swollen river |
| Teams of police divers using thermal imaging cameras underwater continued to look for the boy until around 0115 BST on Tuesday. | Teams of police divers using thermal imaging cameras underwater continued to look for the boy until around 0115 BST on Tuesday. |
| An air ambulance, mountain rescuers, the fire service and dogs aided search efforts by combing the river banks. | An air ambulance, mountain rescuers, the fire service and dogs aided search efforts by combing the river banks. |
| They patrolled the river for 10 hours after Sean's disappearance and the search was resumed at 0800 BST on Tuesday. | They patrolled the river for 10 hours after Sean's disappearance and the search was resumed at 0800 BST on Tuesday. |
| The river Conwy is believed to be swollen and fast flowing following recent heavy rainfall. | The river Conwy is believed to be swollen and fast flowing following recent heavy rainfall. |
| Chris Lloyd, from the Ogwen Mountain Rescue Team, said it was always distressing to deal with a fatality, especially of such a young child. | |
| "However, I think it's relief that we have been successful in our find, because it does put an end to the searching and does give a result and does help the family they can now start their grieving process," he said. | |
| He added the fact the river Conwy cuts through a steep rocky gorge and has a series of steps that create fast and white water had made it a difficult area to search. | |
| In addition, the banks were also very steep and rocky or heavily vegetated with trees and brambles. |