TRIBUTES have been paid to the missing 18-year-old soldier Tyler Pearson whose body was found in the River Ouse.

Police were called by a member of the public yesterday morning and fire crews helped recover a body, close to Terry Avenue, near Skeldergate Bridge.

North Yorkshire Police today confirmed the body is that of Signaller Tyler Pearson, who was based at Imphal Barracks. He went missing after apparently trying to swim across the Ouse near King’s Staith in the early hours of April 3.

His family travelled to York from his home city of Nottingham after the discovery was made and were today being supported by specially trained officers from North Yorkshire Police and the Army.

Tributes have been paid to Signaller Pearson, who was a member of 2 Signal Regiment in York, and worked in the motor transport department.  He had recently joined the regiment from initial training, having qualified in military driving and technical logistic management. 

Lieutenant Colonel Ian Hargreaves, commanding officer of 2nd Signal Regiment, said: “As a close knit regiment, we are all shocked and saddened by the death of Signaller Tyler Pearson. 

“While Signaller Pearson was only with the regiment a short time, he showed himself to be the epitome of a professional soldier - intelligent, keen to learn and hard-working. He had made a great start in the Royal Corps of Signals with the prospects of a fine career ahead of him, and his loss will be sorely felt by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Julia Mulligan, police and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire, said her  "heart goes out to" to the family of Signaller Pearson and said work was underway to help prevent more people losing their lives in the river.

She said: “In the meantime, my plea to those enjoying York’s vibrant night life is clear and simple. Stay together, look after your friends, and plan the end of your night, not just the beginning.”

Members of the Yorkshire and the Humber Underwater Search Unit spent several days scanning the bed of the Ouse around King’s Staith and further down the river, close to Skeldergate Bridge after Signaller Pearson's disappearance.

Following Signaller Pearson’s disappearance, The Press launched its Take Care campaign, to help promote river safety, and the body found today marks the third death in York’s rivers in only three months.
Twenty-year-old York St John University student Megan Roberts disappeared after a night out with friends in January, and her body was found in the Ouse almost six weeks later.

Ben Clarkson, 22, entered the River Foss on his way home from a night out in York in the early hours of March 2, and his body was found on March 21.