Body found in search for boy, 14, who was swept away playing in river

A body has been found in the search for a 14-year-old schoolboy who went missing while playing in a river.

Daniel Halliday was swimming in the River Mersey with his big brother when he was swept away by a strong current on Sunday evening.

His devasted family said he had been jumping at waves at Crosby Beach in Waterloo with his older brother and a group of friends, who attempted to save him.

He became seperated from the group at around 7pm, and emergency services were alerted after the group returned from swimming without Daniel.

In a statement released before he was found, Daniel’s family said: ‘Our worst fear is that this tragic accident has taken our lovely boy from us.

‘Daniel was jumping waves with his big brother who tried to save him but the current was too strong.

‘Daniel is a loving son, brother, cousin, nephew and grandson.

‘The family are all devastated, and we hope that we will be allowed our privacy at this time.

‘Thank you.’

Crosby Beach was cordoned off near the radar tower following the incident, with emergency services, coastguard and the RNLI involved in the search.

Merseyside Police added that Daniel’s family are being supported by specially trained officers.

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