Body found in Romania believed to be missing British hiker George Smyth
Remains found in the Romanian mountains are believed to belong to 18-year-old British student George Smyth, who went missing while hiking last November. His family has thanked rescuers after a months-long search.
UK police have said a body found in Romania is believed to be that of missing British hiker George Smyth, an 18-year-old geology student at the University of Bristol who disappeared in November while hiking in the country's mountains.
Avon and Somerset police confirmed the discovery was made on Saturday and said Smyth's family has been informed and is being supported by a family liaison officer.
Family pays tribute
In a statement, Smyth's family said they were devastated by his death, describing him as deeply missed by his younger brothers, family and friends. They thanked Salvamont mountain rescue for working tirelessly since November despite dangerous and difficult conditions, praising the team for staying in constant contact throughout the ordeal. The family also thanked Avon and Somerset police and the University of Bristol for their support, saying that although the news was painful, the uncertainty of waiting was now over and they could focus on bringing George home. They asked for privacy as they come to terms with the loss.
Search efforts
On Wednesday, rescue teams had resumed searching previously identified areas, including under rock walls and hard-to-reach sectors, but without success at that time. Smyth, from Newport in Shropshire, is believed to have set out from Poiana Brașov towards Bran, reaching Țigănești, where he made an emergency call for help.
Rescuers said he was in an isolated, hard-to-access mountain area amid severe weather, including strong winds, heavy snowfall and dense fog. The operation involved a canine unit, drones and helicopters. Sebastian Marinescu of the local mountain rescue service earlier told the BBC that Smyth had sounded disoriented, physically exhausted and was showing signs of hypothermia during the emergency call. Formal identification of the body has yet to take place, and efforts will be made to return it to the UK once completed.
