A search is underway for Liam Potts, a 22-year-old soldier with the Coldstream Guards, who disappeared in the early hours of Saturday following a series of incidents in the village of Wylam, Northumberland. Potts had previously held ceremonial roles in both King Charles III's proclamation and Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022.
Northumbria Police are investigating the disappearance after receiving a welfare report on Saturday afternoon. Potts was last seen around 12:20 a.m. heading towards the center of Wylam from Wylam Bridge. Police believe he may have entered the River Tyne, and his current whereabouts are unknown.
The search follows a reported disturbance at a pub near the river, which preceded a collision on Wylam Bridge. A vehicle struck a group of pedestrians, leaving a man and a woman, both in their 20s, with serious but not life-threatening injuries. Potts was present on the bridge at the time of the collision but was not in the vehicle and is not reported to have been injured. He was seen leaving the scene after the incident.
Two occupants of the vehicle fled the scene before police arrived. Two men, aged 22 and 23, were subsequently arrested in connection with the incident and have been bailed pending further inquiries. Police confirmed that extensive inquiries are ongoing to locate Potts, and his family has been notified and is being supported by officers. Concerns for his welfare are mounting.
Potts was wearing black joggers, black Nike trainers, a black T-shirt with a diamond logo on the back, and a gold chain when he was last seen. A significant number of police officers and mountain rescue teams have been involved in the search in Wylam.
At 18, Potts was stationed at Wellington Barracks with the Coldstream Guards. He was among the soldiers who attended the proclamation of King Charles III and lined The Mall for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral procession. His mother had expressed pride in his participation at the time of the funeral.