Body found in river search for missing soldier Liam Potts
Northumbria Police recovered a body from the River Tyne near Wylam Bridge on Tuesday while searching for missing Coldstream Guards soldier Liam Potts, 22. Formal identification is pending, but his next of kin have been notified. Officers do not believe third-party involvement and will prepare a report for the coroner.
Liam Potts vanished in the early hours of Saturday after a night out with friends in Wylam, Northumberland. The discovery ends a multi-day search that drew mountain rescue teams, police divers, and widespread public appeals.
Key Takeaways
- Liam Potts, 22, served with the Coldstream Guards and was last seen near Wylam Bridge at about 00:20 BST on Saturday.
- Specialist officers recovered a body from the River Tyne close to the bridge; formal identification has not yet taken place.
- Police reported a prior disturbance and a bridge crash that seriously injured two pedestrians; two men, 22 and 23, were arrested and bailed.
- Officers said Potts was on the bridge during the collision but was not in the vehicle and was not believed injured.
- Northumbria Police do not believe there is any third-party involvement and will prepare a report for the coroner.
What happened to Liam Potts in Wylam?
Liam Potts, a 22-year-old soldier with the Coldstream Guards, disappeared after local disturbances in the village of Wylam. He was last seen on CCTV heading toward the village from Wylam Bridge at approximately 00:20 BST on Saturday, according to BBC News.
Northumbria Police said they believed he may have entered the River Tyne. Mountain rescue teams from North of Tyne and Northumberland National Park joined marine unit officers in searching the river and surrounding area for days.
On Tuesday, specialist officers from the force's Marine Unit recovered a body from the water close to Wylam Bridge. Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Robson called it "an extremely sad development" and said thoughts were with Potts's family and friends.
How did the Wylam Bridge incident unfold?
Before Potts was last seen, police received reports of a disturbance at a nearby premises. A subsequent crash on Wylam Bridge involved a vehicle and a group of pedestrians, according to reporting from LBC.
A man and woman, both in their 20s, suffered serious injuries. LBC reported the injuries as serious but not life-threatening. Officers confirmed Potts was on the bridge at the time of the collision but was not an occupant of the vehicle and was not believed to have been hurt.
Two men, aged 22 and 23, were arrested in connection with the report and released on bail pending further inquiries. Police stressed that early enquiries were ongoing at the time of the search.
Who was Liam Potts?
Potts joined the Coldstream Guards at 18 and was stationed at Wellington Barracks in London. He held ceremonial roles at the proclamation of King Charles III and at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022, LBC reported. He completed training at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire and was on leave when he went missing.
Police described him as a white man, 6 feet 3 inches tall, of medium build, with dark hair and tattoos on his right arm. He was last seen wearing black tracksuit bottoms, black Nike trainers, and a black T-shirt with white text and a diamond logo.
What happens next in the investigation?
Formal identification of the recovered body has not yet taken place, though Potts's next of kin have been notified and are being supported by officers. Northumbria Police said they do not believe there is any third-party involvement and will prepare a report for the coroner.
Detective Chief Inspector Robson thanked officers, partners, volunteers, and members of the public who shared appeals and provided information. She asked that people respect the family's privacy at this time.
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