Expert teams join hunt for youth

Civil Defence Force units are searching for Aaron Goss

Specialist river search teams have joined an operation to find a teenager missing on a school trip to the rainforests of Tena in eastern Ecuador.

Aaron Goss, 17, of Rushden, Northants, was on an expedition organised by the company Adventureworks with 17 other students from Wollaston School.

He disappeared on Wednesday while members of the group were swimming.

A group leader saw a splash and told the students to get out of the water. Aaron was then found to be missing.

The team of students and two teachers were with two professional leaders from Adventureworks, supported throughout the three-week expedition by Ecuadorian guides.

A dug-out canoe had been used to ferry the group, five at a time, across the river to a good swimming point on the opposite bank near the Shangri-La resort.

'Worrying time'

Two leaders, one of them a trained lifeguard, entered the water first to check for hazards.

While some of the students were swimming one of the leaders noticed a splash and told everyone to get out of the water.

Adventureworks manager Mike Rosser said of the search on Friday: "They've got some teams from their local civil defence which includes the fire and ambulance service.

"They've been sweeping the banks of the river. We've also had some kayakers that have been on the river as well.

"A more specialist unit will be deployed at first light that will again help with the search along the banks.

"We're also sending in a specialist water team as well to help coordinate what's happening along the river itself."

Wollaston Secondary School deputy head, Anne Murdoch said: "Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very worrying time."

The rest of the group will return to Quito and fly back to Britain soon.