The update comes as an urgent search continues for 16-year-old Athrun, who has been missing from West Shore Beach since Saturday, May 10 – with a major emergency response launched
A possible sighting of a body at a popular UK beach has triggered a major emergency response after an autistic teenager vanished there days ago.
At around 7pm on Tuesday, the National Police Air Service reported spotting what appeared to be a body in the sea during air searches, prompting a swift deployment of coastguard and RNLI teams. The sighting comes as an urgent search continues for 16-year-old Athrun, who has been missing from West Shore Beach in Wales since Saturday, May 10. Intensive land, sea and air operations have been underway for days, involving police, coastguard crews, RNLI lifeboats and members of the public. Athrun was last seen at around 2pm on Saturday, police said. He has been described as 6ft tall with brown hair and blue eyes, and was spotted wearing swim shorts at the seaside.
North Wales Police said in a statement on Tuesday night: “There will continue to be an increased emergency service presence in the area throughout the evening. Whilst work is ongoing to try and locate and recover the body, Athrun’s family have been informed and are being supported by officers.”
Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan said: “Whilst I am grateful for the ongoing support and concern by the community, I would remind members of the public that this is an extremely distressing situation for the family.
“Speculation on social media is not helpful to our investigation and is not respectful towards the family members during this incredibly difficult time. Multi-agency searches will continue into the night following this evening’s sighting and I would ask for members of the public not to gather on the beach.”
After the force ramped up their search on Monday, a spokesperson said of Athrun: “He is 6ft, brown hair, and has blue eyes. He was wearing blue and white patterned swim shorts only, no footwear. He is not wearing hearing protection as featured in the image.”
The Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard are currently assisting North Wales Police in conducting a search in Conwy. Alerted just after 7.15pm, an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter has been sent alongside Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team, Rhyl RNLI all-weather lifeboat and Conwy and Llandudno RNLI inshore lifeboats.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox