Search for missing University of Worcester student resumes

Police said Thomas Jones' disappearance was "extremely out of character"

The search to find a university student who went missing during Freshers' Week has resumed.

Thomas Jones, 18, was last seen near the River Severn, at Worcester Racecourse, at about 03:30 BST on Wednesday.

The teenager, from Bromsgrove, was due to start a primary teaching course at the University of Worcester and had only moved on Sunday.

West Mercia Police said the teenager's disappearance was "out of character".

The search was called off on Thursday evening because of fading light, but resumed on Friday morning.

West Mercia Police said specialist divers from South Wales Search and Rescue had been deployed to search the river by Worcester Rowing Club on Grandstand Road.

Mr Jones' mother Vicki said: "He's out there and we will find him."

He was believed to have been wearing pale-coloured jeans, a navy blue woollen zip-up Lacoste top and green shoes.

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His father, Ian, said: "We're realists, but we're also positive people and we've got to think positive all the while because if we didn't we'd be letting ourselves down and our family and friends, so we are positive."

The force said it wants to speak to students who used the Sabrina footbridge, which links Worcester Racecourse to Hylton Road and is a "natural route for students", between 03:30 and 04:00 on Wednesday. It is thought Mr Jones could have used the bridge.

Det Insp Tony Garner said the force was "grateful" for the public's help but asked them to stay away and allow the divers to "work without distraction".

He added: "We had a minor incident yesterday in which our search team had to stop and support the ambulance service as someone had injured themselves while helping with the search."

A University of Worcester spokeswoman said: "We are deeply concerned for the whereabouts of one of our students and would urge the public and fellow students to contact police if they have any information.

"We are in contact with the family and offering support to fellow students."

Thomas Jones' parents Vicki and Ian say they remain positive