FAMILY OF BOY, 14, MISSING AFTER GOING SWIMMING IN RIVER REVEAL THEIR 'WORST FEAR'

The family of a "loving son, brother and grandson" feared to have been swept out to sea have told how his big brother desperately tried to save him.

Daniel Halliday, 14, had been swimming with friends and his brother in the River Mersey on Sunday night near Crosby beach when they became separated and he vanished. Emergency services, including police, coastguard and North West Ambulance Service, were at 7pm to help the 14-year-old.

A search was carried out but he is still yet to be located. His family are being supported by specially trained Merseyside Police officers and have asked for privacy.

In the statement they revealed Daniel's brother tried to save him. They said: “Our worst fear is 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 we will be allowed our privacy at this time. Thank you.”

A spokesman for Merseyside Police earlier said: “We can confirm emergency services are responding to an incident in Waterloo this evening, Sunday, 30 June. Just after 7pm emergency services received a report of a concern for safety of a 14-year-old boy who had gone swimming in the River Mersey , near to the radar tower with a group of friends.

"His friends had come out of the river but had become separated from him and he has not been seen since. The incident is ongoing and Crosby beach near to the radar tower has been cordoned off. We are asking people to avoid the area at this time, whilst the emergency services, including the coastguard and North West Ambulance Service, continue searching for the missing boy.”

2024-07-02T13:41:41Z dg43tfdfdgfd