Body found in York river is that of missing 18-year-old soldier

North Yorkshire Police have confirmed that the body found in the River Ouse near Skeldergate Bridge yesterday has been identified as missing 18-year-old, Tyler Pearson

The soldier was last seen entering the River Ouse in the early hours of Thursday 3 April 2014.

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, said:

“My heart goes out to Tyler’s family, and I know the police will offer all the help and support the family need at this very difficult time.

“The recent spate of fatalities highlights the importance of staying safe near York’s rivers, particularly when alcohol has been consumed. Last month’s river safety summit concluded that the priority needs to be on prevention as well as response.

"Work is currently underway with groups across York and families of recent river victims to make some short films to highlight the dangers of the river. In the longer term we will devise a sustained and powerful campaign to help prevent more lives being needlessly cut short.

"In addition to this, I am keen to facilitate vulnerability training, so those working in York’s night-time economy know who they can go to and what they can do to help keep vulnerable people safe."

Police in North Yorkshire say they have found a body in the River Ouse on Thursday morning.

The identity of the male is yet unconfirmed, but the family of missing soldier, Tyler Pearson, have been informed.

Police divers will resume underwater searches today for a young soldier who attempted to swim across the River Ouse following a night out with friends. There's been no trace of 18 year old Tyler Pearson since he was seen in the water in the early hours of last Thursday morning.

Watch: Campaign to improve river safety

North Yorkshire Police say officers have tonight risked their own lives to rescue a "vulnerable woman" who had gone into the River Ouse, in York. It is understood she is an 18-year-old who was said to be in a distressed state when she had earlier this evening left a property in the city.

In a post on its Twitter account tonight, North Yorkshire Police said: "Amazing actions by York officers who risked their own safety to secure a vulnerable female who had entered the Ouse this evening." The teenager is believed to have been taken to hospital as a precaution.

A soldier who's missing after entering the River Ouse in York is believed to be from Nottingham.

Signaller Tyler Pearson, 18, was last seen in the early hours of Thursday (3 April) after a night out with friends.

Police think he entered the river voluntarily.

Yesterday, Superintendant Phil Cain, of York Safer Neighbourhood Command, said: “At this time we cannot confirm whether he has exited the water safely."

He is the third person this year feared to have drowned after a night out in the city.

MORE: Commanding Officer describes "hardworking" soldier

The Commanding Officer of a soldier who hasn't been seen since entering the River Ouse on Thursday, says his Regiment's thoughts and prayers are with the family.

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He also thanked the emergency services for their swift response in trying to find Mr Pearson.

Police divers and crews using sonar equipment have resumed their search for a teenage soldier feared drowned in York.

Officers say 18-year-old Tyler Pearson has not been seen since early yesterday morning when he tried to swim across the River Ouse after a night out.

It follows the drowning of Ben Clarkson and Megan Roberts in the city. Megan's mother, Jackie, now campaigns for greater safety around rivers:

North Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Julia Mulligan says making people take the dangers of the river in York is a difficult task:

Police have named a teenager they are searching for in the River Ouse as Tyler Pearson.

18 year-old Tyler is a serving soldier based in York, and is a signaller in the 2 Signal Regiment.

It is believed to have got into difficulties at about 2.30am on Thursday when he tried to swim across the River Ouse after a night out with friends.

Divers are searching a stretch of river by Queen's Staith where it is thought he was attempting to reach. Visibility underwater is a matter of inches. Part of the riverbank remains sealed off.

North Yorkshire's Chief constable Dave Jones has visited the scene where police divers are searching for a missing teenager in the River Ouse.

Mr Jones spent around 15 mins talking to the dive crew and explained later the he had wanted to thank them in person for the work they had carried out in this search and in the earlier operations to find missing student Megan Roberts and shop worker Ben Clarkson.