Body found in boy river search (UK)

Police searching for a missing eight-year-old boy who disappeared after falling into the River Wear in County Durham have discovered a body. Ian Bell, from Sunnybrow, was playing with friends when he was swept away near Crook on 27 April. Durham Police said that the body of a young boy had been found downstream from Page Bank Bridge. A spokesman for the force said Ian's family had been informed of the discovery. He said: "Arrangements are being made for formal identification to take place, and the coroner has been informed. An inquest will be held in due course. "The search is now in the process of being scaled down as Durham Constabulary has no other reports of missing persons at this time. "Durham Constabulary would like to thank all those involved in the search for their help and their support." A 13-mile (21km) stretch of the River Wear was searched by police with help from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue, Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue, the county council's Civil Contingency Unit and community volunteers. A specialist underwater camera team from Derbyshire also assisted in the search. Ian is thought to have fallen into the river after a tree branch he was holding snapped.