A schoolboy has gone missing after falling off Tower Bridge and into the River Thames in London, his headteacher has said.
The Year 8 Ark Globe Academy pupil was said to have been travelling with a friend on a bus on Tuesday morning but did not arrive at the south London school.
In a letter to parents on Wednesday, executive principal Matt Jones said the boy was in full school uniform but exited near the bridge, before his usual stop closest to the school in Elephant and Castle.
He then “fell” into the River Thames, Mr Jones said.
City of London Police confirmed it was leading an investigation into a missing person, linked to an incident where a child fell into the river from Tower Bridge.
The force said despite an “intensive search” by officers, helicopter and marine units, the boy had not yet been found.
Mr Jones said in his letter: “It is with worry that I share news about (the pupil’s name), a Year 8 student at Ark Globe Academy.
“On the morning of Tuesday April 20, (he) did not make his way into school despite travelling on a bus with a friend in full school uniform.
“He got off the bus near Tower Bridge before his usual bus stop nearest to Ark Globe Academy and fell into the River Thames.
“At this moment in time, police are treating this case as a ‘missing persons’ incident.”
Mr Jones said in a statement on Friday that the student did not arrive at school on the morning of April 20.
He said: “This is obviously distressing news for the young person’s family, friends, and the wider Ark Globe Community.
“As a school community, we are dealing with this sensitively so as not to compromise the integrity of the police investigation and we wish to respect the privacy of the family while the investigation is ongoing.
“Our hopes and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time.”
A City of London Police spokesperson said the force was working with the Metropolitan Police as part of the “missing person” investigation.
The spokesperson said: “We believe this is linked to an incident where a child fell into the Thames from Tower Bridge.
“Despite an intensive search by City of London Police, the police helicopter and marine units, this person has not yet been found.
“We ask anyone who witnessed anything on Tuesday April 20 at 8.09am, to call us on 020 7601 2999, quoting reference 21000215310.”