Missing loch boy found dead

Adam's stepfather and mother pictured before the body was found

The teenager who went missing on the banks of Loch Lomond has been found dead.

The body of Adam Shad, 15, was recovered by police divers at 1100 BST on Thursday from the River Falloch where it flows into the north end of the loch.

Adam was last seen on Tuesday afternoon as he climbed a hill opposite the campsite at Ardlui where he had been staying with his family since Saturday.

The 15-year-old, from Gateshead, was injured last December when he was hit by a car, which led him to suffer from blackouts and to become disorientated.

Police said there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances and a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal.

Searchers 'disappointed'

Chief Inspector Les Carson said: "Everyone involved in the search for Adam is extremely disappointed that it has resulted in such tragedy.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."

Earlier on Thursday, his mother Jeanette Cooper renewed her appeal for people to help find her son. She was speaking after police ruled out two possible sightings of Adam.

Police, coastguards, four mountain rescue teams, boats and a helicopter were involved in the search.

Adam, seen shortly before he vanished on Tuesday

Adam was bare-chested, barefoot and was wearing only tracksuit bottoms when he was last seen climbing the hill.

Mrs Cooper said: "Our belief is that he nagged so much to go up there because he feels we are not letting him do the things that 15-year-old boys are allowed to do because he is registered disabled.

"Disabled he isn't as far as physical ability or mental ability; disabled he is in that he may have problems with memory.

"He gets confused and blacks out sometimes, only for a second."

He had been on a camping holiday with his brother Joseph, 11, his mother and his stepfather Terence Cooper.

The family said he had the physical strength of someone 10 years older.