Second body found in river
THE body of a second teenager has been recovered from the Swan River just northeast of Perth as Western Australia police continue to search for another boy who remains missing.
The bodies were found after a police chase led to five young people jumping into the river to evade them on Monday afternoon.
“This is nothing short of a tragedy,” Western Australia Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said as he offered condolences to the families of the deceased.
WA Police confirmed the second body was recovered yesterday morning, near where another boy’s body was found about midnight.
“Two boys are believed to have got into difficulties in the middle of the river and succumbed to the conditions,” Commissioner Dawson said.
He said, of the five teens involved, two were quickly found and taken into custody but others were unaccounted for so police began searching the river.
He said there was still concern for a fifth teen, who had not been located and was last seen running along the side of the Swan River.
“We are hopeful that he did not enter the river,” he said.
State Emergency Service volunteers joined the search operation yesterday morning, along with mounted officers and police planes.
Police are working to identify the deceased teens and notify next of kin.
The two boys who were found were taken ashore and treated by St John Ambulance officers. They were provided with clothes and transported to police headquarters in Perth’s CBD.
Officers from the major crime division and the internal affairs unit were investigating the death.
Commissioner Dawson said there was no plan to charge the two located teens.
The families of the deceased have asked police to keep details about the boys from the public. All the teens were under the age of 18.
“Our primary concern is the welfare of all concerned,” Commissioner Dawson said.
The case will go before the state coroner.