SEARCHES of the River Ouse are set to continue today for missing Signaller Tyler Pearson.

The 18-year-old, who is a member of 2 Signal Regiment, was last seen at about 2.30am on Thursday when police believe he tried to swim across the river from King's Staith to Queen's Staith.

Members of the Yorkshire And The Humber Marine Search Unit were at the scene throughout Thursday and Friday, with divers and specialist scanning equipment, and are expected to return to King's Staith today.

Signaller Pearson recently arrived at 2 Signal regiment in York, having qualified in military driving and technical logistic management, and had started work in a Motor Transport department.

He has been described by his commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Ian Hargreaves as "a bright, keen, enthusiastic soldier" with good career prospects.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, officers from North Yorkshire Police rescued a vulnerable young woman from the River Ouse.

A police spokesman said the 18-year-old was said to be in a distressed state and was reported missing from The Retreat in Heslington Road at about 7.15pm.

Emergency services were called to the Ouse, close to St George's Field car park at about 7.45pm, where police tried to negotiate with her as she threatened to enter the river.

The spokesman said the woman then went into the water, but was quickly rescued by officers, and would receive the necessary support and treatment.


* THE FUNERAL of Ben Clarkson, who died in the Foss after a night out in York, was held on Friday.

His girlfriend Rachel Peatfield said the service, at Lawnswood Crematorium in Leeds, was "a perfect fitting tribute to Ben, exactly what he would have wanted".

She said: "It was full of music, memories and some humour, because Ben was such a funny, witty person.

"There was some laughter among the tears. I don't think there was a dry eye in the service.There must have been about 100 people - family, friends, and we all raised a glass to Ben. I think everyone left learning something new about him."

A Mass was also held in Ben's memory at St Wilfrid's Church in York on Friday.