UNITED KINGDOM – The body of a Zimbabwean student who went missing after going swimming in the River Tees has been recovered by police.
Former Middlesbrough College student, David Zikhali, aged 20, is said to have tried to swim across the River Tees with friends Monday evening, but at some point got into difficulties and became unconscious before vanishing in the river.
A major search of the river by emergency services supported by police divers, lifeboats and a helicopter had been taking place since.
A police dive team resumed the search after an overnight break.
The force has confirmed the body is Mr Zikhali’s. His family have been at the river bank, where friends and fellow students have been laying flowers.
Police are not treating his death as suspicious and are warning people of the dangers of open water.
“Despite how tempting it may be in hot weather, people can get into difficulty very quickly due to cold temperatures, depth and undercurrents,” a force spokeswoman said.
