BODY FOUND IN SEARCH FOR MISSING 18-YEAR-OLD GEORGE AFTER 11-DAY COASTAL SEARCH

CLOTHING MATCHES WHAT THE TEEN WAS WEARING WHEN HE VANISHED — BUT FORMAL IDENTIFICATION IS STILL UNDERWAY

The search for a missing 18-year-old from Portishead, Somerset, has taken a heartbreaking turn after a body was recovered from coastal waters near Newport, Wales.

George disappeared on the evening of Thursday, September 17, prompting an extensive search involving police, coastguard teams, the RNLI and other emergency services.

Eleven days later, officers confirmed that a body had been recovered from the water.

The clothing found on the body matched what George was wearing when he was last seen.

However, police stressed that a formal identification has not yet been completed. His family has been informed and is being supported by a specially trained officer.

GEORGE VANISHED ON A SEPTEMBER EVENING

George was last seen at approximately 8:20pm on Thursday, September 17, in the Portishead area.

According to Avon and Somerset Police, he had been near the Royal Inn pub, off Pier Road, when he disappeared.

His disappearance immediately triggered a major search operation.

Police officers, firefighters, Coastguard teams, RNLI crews and specialist search teams were deployed to areas around Woodlands Road and the nearby beach.

Searches continued over the following days as investigators tried to establish where George had gone.

DAYS OF SEARCHES BROUGHT NO ANSWER

Authorities carried out extensive searches both on land and around the coastline.

Specialist search officers were deployed alongside drone and dog units, while Coastguard and RNLI teams assisted with searches