A major search and rescue operation has been taking place overnight after a teenage boy was reported missing while playing in a river. A helicopter and police officers with torches were seen scouring the area near Halfpenny Bridge in Lechlade-on-Thames, Gloucestershire, in the early hours.
A police spokesperson has confirmed the incident remains ongoing as the boy - believed to be aged around 17 - has not yet been found. It is understood four other children were pulled from the water outside The Riverside pub last night.
One resident who lives near the pub told the Mirror: "A friend living close to the bridge messaged that she had seen a group wrapped in metallic blankets in the back of an ambulance."
A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said: "Searches have been taking place in the River Thames after a report a teenager was in the water near Lechlade on Thames. Police were called at around 10pm yesterday (Sunday 30 April) and emergency services attended
"Officers have been supported by the National Police Air Service, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Severn Area Rescue Association while searches continued into the early hours of this morning (Monday).
"The teenage boy has not yet been located, and specialist search teams will be continuing with the search today (Monday). His next of kin are aware. A group of four had been at the location together, and some had entered the water to try and find the boy.
"They are all accounted for."
A spokesman from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service added: "We were called at 10.03pm by the coast guard to reports that some teenagers believed to be aged about 17, had been playing in the river at Lechlade and one hadn't resurfaced.
"We assisted the search by sending three crews from Fairford, Gloucester South and Tewkesbury, along with boat crews. We liaised with coastguard and the police, who were co-ordinating the search, and came away from the scene at about 4am."
A spokesman for Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) said: "We were called by Gloucestershire Police last night to assist fire services after an individual had been reported to have gone into the river."
He added that one of the organisation's boats was taken down to the scene. A team has also been deployed from Wiltshire Search & Rescue.
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