Emergency services were called to the River Avon in Chippenham after reports of a youth walking across a weir before disappearing from sight.
Fearing the worst, Wiltshire Police rushed to the scene alongside Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) at around 7.20pm last night (22 February).
Emergency vehicles lined Gladstone Road and the car park to the rear of The Bridge House pub as they launched a search operation in a bid to locate the youngster.
Officers deployed a drone, which is understood to have thermal imaging capabilities. The unmanned aerial appliance was used in the hope it would spot a warm body in the cold water.
The 999 caller reported the youth to have walked across the counterweight passing over Chippenham Radial Gate before being lost to sight – it was possible he had fallen into the fast-slowing River Avon.
“Unable to ascertain whether or not the youth had left the scene or had fallen into the water, two fire engines were mobilised from Chippenham along with the rescue units from Trowbridge”, a DWFRS spokesperson said.
They continued: “Along with Wiltshire Police a full search was carried out of the area.
“No persons were located in or near to the water and at around 9pm there was information that suggested the youth had been observed on CCTV leaving the scene.”
