Divers launch search for man missing in River Foss

POLICE divers were yesterday searching the River Foss in York for a missing man – less than 48 hours after the body of student Megan Roberts was discovered in the River Ouse.
Ben ClarksonBen Clarkson
Ben Clarkson

It is feared Ben Clarkson, 22, may have fallen into the river after a night out at the weekend.

He was last seen outside Fibbers nightclub in Stonebow in the city centre at about 3.30am on Sunday.

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Police said it was uncharacteristic for the former York St John University student to be out of contact with his friends and family for so long.

The Yorkshire And The Humber Marine Unit’s search focused on a stretch of the Foss between Huntington Road and Heworth Green, near their junction with Monkgate Foss Islands Road, and further down the river towards the Foss Basin.

In a direct appeal, Inspector Jo Brooksbank, of York Police, urged Mr Clarkson to get in touch.

She said: “Ben, if you are safe and well, I urge you to contact the police immediately. Your family and friends are very worried about your welfare and are desperate to know that you are safe and well.

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“In the meantime, I ask anyone who saw Ben after the time he was last seen or has any information about his current whereabouts, to contact the police as a matter of urgency.”

The marine unit also helped conduct searches of the River Ouse while 20-year-old Megan Roberts was missing following a night out.

Her body was found on Sunday. The inquest into her death 
was opened and adjourned yesterday.

Following Mr Clarkson’s disappearance the River Ouse Safety Group, involving representatives of the emergency services, commercial boat operators and authorities across the region which provide support and safety advice through a joint emergency plan, said work was ongoing to prevent river tragedies.

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“As a group we are determined to work with colleagues across the city to prevent river-related incidents where we can,” it said.

“We urge everyone who is out and about in the city centre to watch out for each other and stay together when heading home so that should an accident occur, there is someone to raise the alarm.”

Mr Clarkson was last seen wearing dark skinny jeans, a grey 
T-shirt with an Eiffel Tower logo on the front and dark pumps with white trim and white toe caps.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.

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