Body found in search for missing Ross, 17 (From Bournemouth Echo)

Body found in search for missing Ross, 17

8:18pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News

POLICE leading a major search for missing Hampshire teenager Ross Haughey have discovered a body.

The news came this afternoon, just over 72 hours since the 17-year-old was last seen as he left his family home to go out for a walk.

Hampshire's air ambulance was called in to assist and could be seen coming in to land around 3pm - the first indication that there could be a development in the hunt for the Burgate School pupil who lived in Frogham.

Specialist police and volunteer search teams who had spread far and wide across a five mile stretch of the forest were told to stop and return to Abbotswell car park following the news.

Although the body is yet to be identified formally, the tragic news was told to Ross's parents Brian and Penny by police as the search was wound down.

It is the development that nobody wanted to hear, as the A-level student's fellow sixth form pupils turned out in force, accompanied by teachers, to do what they could to help.

Throughout the day more members of the public offering assistance, commoners and agisters on horseback and even staff from the National Trust had played a part, while local residents and dog walkers simply turned up to offer themselves if needed.

Hampshire police say it will be tomorrow at the earliest before any further update and formal identification will be made.