Body found in search for missing schoolboy, 13, who fell from Tower Bridge

Body found in search for missing 13-year-old boy who fell from Tower Bridge into the River Thames on his way to school

The body of a 13-year-old schoolboy missing after falling into the River Thames last Tuesday has been found by police.

The Ark Globe Academy pupil failed to show up at the school in Elephant and Castle, Southwark on April 20.

A City of London Police spokesperson said: ‘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 April, 20.

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

A letter from the school principal, Matt Jones, told parents that the Year 8 pupil took a bus to school with his friend on Tuesday morning but got off at Tower Bridge, before his usual stop. 

River police, firefighters, the RNLI and a police helicopter were also involved in the search

Police have launched a search for a 13-year-old boy who went missing after falling into the River Thames from Tower Bridge on his way to school (emergency services at the scene)

Police have launched a search for a 13-year-old boy who went missing after falling into the River Thames from Tower Bridge on his way to school (emergency services at the scene)

A map shows the distance between his school, Ark Globe Academy, and where he is feared to have fallen into the river

A map shows the distance between his school, Ark Globe Academy, and where he is feared to have fallen into the river

He and a friend had boarded the bus together but the youngster got off ahead of his usual stop in Elephant and Castle – before falling into the river.

Witnesses described hearing screams before one woman jumped into the water to try and save him.

Despite using a life-float to swim into the Thames, she was only able to recover his school jacket and school bag.  

The boy is thought to have celebrated his 13th birthday only last week. 

The 13-year-old boy, who is believed to have celebrated his birthday only last week, is missing after falling into the River Thames from Tower Bridge on his way to school

The 13-year-old boy, who is believed to have celebrated his birthday only last week, is missing after falling into the River Thames from Tower Bridge on his way to school

The teenager had been wearing his full uniform as he made his way to The Ark Globe Academy in Southwark, London, on Tuesday at around 8am when he fell from the bridge (emergency services at the scene)

The teenager had been wearing his full uniform as he made his way to The Ark Globe Academy in Southwark, London, on Tuesday at around 8am when he fell from the bridge (emergency services at the scene) 

It is believed that a handwritten note was found at the scene. 

One witness, who was working on a building site on the South Bank, said at the time: ‘We all heard him screaming for help, and then a woman who was just walking past with her boyfriend grabbed a float and jumped into the river.

‘She said “why isn’t anybody helping him” before jumping in herself. 

‘The woman jumped in seconds after but all she could bring back was his school jacket and his bag. 

‘I saw police going through the bag and it had his school books and stationary in it, he was clearly very young.’