A body was recovered from the River Tyne on Tuesday in the search for a soldier who participated in the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Liam Potts, 22, a member of the Coldstream Guards, had been reported missing.
Potts disappeared around 12:20 a.m. on Saturday in the village of Wylam, Northumberland. His last known moments were captured on CCTV, showing him heading towards the village from Wylam Bridge, which crosses the River Tyne, after a night out with friends. He did not return home, prompting a search by authorities and volunteers.
The previous evening, a pub fight and a car crash occurred in the vicinity. Two people sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries when a car reportedly struck a group of pedestrians on Wylam Bridge. Northumbria Police arrested two men, aged 22 and 23, in connection with the crash. They have since been released on bail.
Potts, who held a ceremonial role at the Queen's funeral in 2022, was last seen wearing black jogging bottoms, black Nike trainers, a black T-shirt with white text and a diamond logo on the back, and a gold chain.
Specialist officers from the force's marine unit discovered the body in the River Tyne near where Potts was last seen. Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Robson of Northumbria Police stated, "This is an extremely sad development, and our thoughts are very much with Liam's family and friends." She also expressed gratitude to the officers, partners, volunteers, and the public for their assistance in the searches and information provided.
Police had previously indicated that Potts might have entered the water, but it was unclear if he had exited. Authorities were also called to a disturbance at a nearby house on the same morning as his disappearance. The investigation is ongoing, and police continue to request that the family's privacy be respected during this difficult time.