Avon and Somerset police have said that a body found in Romania is believed to be that of George Smyth, an 18-year-old British man who went missing while hiking in November. The force informed his family, who have paid tribute to the University of Bristol geology student.
Search and identification
On Saturday, Avon and Somerset police confirmed that a body found in the region is believed to be Smyth, who disappeared in November. His family have been informed and are being supported by a family liaison officer.
Efforts will be made to return Smyth’s body to the UK once formal identification has taken place.
Family's tribute
Smyth’s family said: “We are all devastated by George’s death. He was the best of us and is deeply missed by his younger brothers, family and friends.”
They thanked Salvamont mountain rescue, who “have worked tirelessly since November searching for George, despite very difficult and often dangerous conditions. They are an amazing team, and have remained in constant communication, helping us greatly throughout this awful time.”
The family also expressed gratitude to Avon and Somerset police and the University of Bristol, who “have gone above and beyond to try and find George, and to support us as a family. Although this latest news is incredibly painful, the torture of waiting is finally over, so we can now focus on bringing George home and saying goodbye. We would appreciate privacy while we continue to come to terms with this loss.”
Background of the disappearance
The student, from Newport in Shropshire, is believed to have left Poiana Brașov heading to Bran. He reached Țigănești, where he made an emergency call for help. At the time, rescuers said he was in a “very isolated and hard to access mountain area” with severe weather conditions including strong winds, heavy snowfall, and dense fog.
Sebastian Marinescu, from the area’s mountain rescue service, previously told the BBC that the 18-year-old “was disoriented, physically exhausted, and already showing signs of hypothermia” when they received the emergency call. The search operation involved a canine unit, drones, and helicopters.
On Wednesday, mountain rescue teams said they had resumed their search in “previously indicated areas, under rock walls, in grates and in the hard-to-reach sectors” but without success.
