Daniel Halliday: Body found in search for 14-year-old boy who went missing after swimming in River Mersey

Daniel Halliday, 14, was lost to a strong current in the River Mersey despite his older brother trying to save him, his family said. Emergency services were called to Crosby beach at around 7pm on June 30 to mount a search.

A body was found by the coastguard off New Brighton on Monday night. Merseyside Police said while the body has not yet been formally identified, their officers remain in contact with the family of Daniel.

Police were informed that Daniel had been swimming near the radar tower on the beach with his friends and older brother, but became separated and failed to emerge from the water, prompting a major operation that took place overnight and into the next morning.

His family previously said: “Our worst fear is that 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 that we will be allowed our privacy at this time. Thank you.”