UNDERWATER searches for missing York student Ethan Peters will continue this weekend.

Ethan, 20, has been missing since last Sunday, and was last seen on CCTV in Coney Street heading towards his home in the Hull Road area.

Divers from the Yorkshire And The Humber marine search unit have spent two days in the River Foss, while officers have also carried out CCTV enquiries to determine what happened to Ethan.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said divers will return to York on Sunday, to carry out further searches, with land-based investigations taking place on Saturday.

She said: “Police officers will carry out ground searches of Ethan’s usual known route home from the city centre. Although it is not known if he took this route, this activity forms part of the overall search for Ethan. 

“Extensive CCTV enquiries are continuing to help piece together a time-line of Ethan’s last movements. The information from these enquiries will help to inform further searches for Ethan.”

Police have said the disappearance is "totally out of character".

Two boats containing members of the Yorkshire And The Humber (YATH), marine search unit are on the Foss to the rear of the Coppergate Centre today, with at least one diver under the water carrying out fingertip searches.

Riverside Walk has been closed while the searches take place.

York Press:

York Press:

On Thursday, the YATH team entered the Foss from the gardens of the Merchant Adventurers Hall, and a section of Piccadilly was cordoned off while the investigation continues.

York Press:

York Press:

A helicopter was used on Wednesday to search areas in and around the city centre.

Mr Peters is slim, 175cms (around 5ft 9ins) tall and has dark brown hair. He was last seen wearing glasses, jeans or chinos, a black jacket and a navy blue polo shirt.

North Yorkshire Police inspector Martin Metcalfe, who is based in York, had said on Thursday: "Ethan's disappearance is totally out of character and we are keeping an open mind about his disappearance.

"As part of the investigation today underwater search teams have begun searching the River Foss near the Castle Car Park, that is one line of inquiry we are pursuing.

"We've got a confirmed sighting on Coney Street, near Spurriergate, which is in the direction of his home address, so obviously we're working our way along the route that he would normally take.

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"We are working closely with Ethan's family and are providing support at this very difficult time.

He added: "I would urged anybody that has any information about Ethan's whereabouts no matter how small you may feel it is to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 as soon as possible."

Mr Peters' family have been allocated a personal officer by police to support them.

"It's horrendous, they are coping remarkably well," Insp Metcalfe commented

Three people have contacted police with information about possible sightings, which they are following up, but none of them have been confirmed.

Insp Metcalfe said: "We are into the fourth day now, we're very concerned about the whereabouts of Ethan. However, we have to remain positive, we have to have an open mind.

"We have a number of inquiries today. I would say the main one is the search of the River Foss by the Castle Car Park. However, we have other inquiries, and are speaking to friends, reviewing CCTV in the location around the river and city centre along with other things I can't discuss."

Family and friends have described Mr Peters as "a likeable character, very friendly, very sociable, very helpful."

Mr Peters was in a "good mood" and "having a nice social night out" before he went missing, according to Insp Metcalfe.

Originally from London, Mr Peters is a student at Goodricke College, part of the University of York, and is in his third year.

A statement from the university said: "Ethan is in his third year studying film and television production and is a popular member of Goodricke College and the wider University community.

"We would urge anyone who has seen Ethan or knows of his whereabouts to contact North Yorkshire Police immediately.

"We are providing appropriate support to his friends and are liaising with the police who are in contact with his family.”

Phone North Yorkshire Police with information on 101. Quote incident number 12160180683 when passing on information.