Police searching for missing schoolboy who fell off Tower Bridge find body

The body of a schoolboy who fell off London’s Tower Bridge and into the River Thames has been found.

Although formal identification has not taken place, City of London Police said it believed it had found the Year 8 Ark Globe Academy pupil who went missing last week.

He was said to have been travelling with a friend on a bus but did not arrive at the south London school.

The school’s executive principal Matt Jones told parents in a letter last week that the boy was in full school uniform but exited near the bridge, before his usual stop closest to the school in Elephant and Castle.

He then fell into the River Thames, Mr Jones said.

In a statement on Thursday, he said: “We are very saddened to hear that a body has been found and that the police believe it is the missing student of ours. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. As a school community, we are pulling together ensuring all our students are supported at this difficult time.”

City of London Police said in a statement: “At around midday on Wednesday April 28, a body was recovered from the River Thames by marine units which we believe to be that of a 13-year-old who has been missing since Tuesday 20 April.

“His family have been informed but at this time formal identification has not yet taken place.”