Body of missing Oxford man found in river near Botley Road

The discovery was made near Osney Lock, just off the Botley Road, at around lunchtime this afternoon.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and several vehicles with blue flashing lights were parked on Osney Bridge.

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Although formal identification has not yet taken place, officers believe it to be the body of John Keith Jones, aged 81, from Oxford.

Mr Jones had been missing since March 14, when he was last seen at The Trout Inn in Wolvercote. 

He was wearing a dark fishing jacket, a light-coloured fishing hat, light coloured trousers and was carrying a yellow bucket.

Officers had become increasingly concerned for his welfare when after extensive enquiries he still had not been found. 

On March 22, Thames Valley Police issued an appeal for specific witnesses in the case.

Mr Jones had white hair and was known to struggle with his mobility.

Detective Sergeant Nathan Adby said: “Very sadly on Thursday afternoon (April 6) a body was discovered, and we have informed John’s next of kin of this.

“They are being offered support and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.

“The death is being treated as unexplained, but we do not believe there to be any suspicious circumstances at this time.”

Around four police cars, a fire engine and paramedics attended the scene.

Two of the police cars were unmarked vehicles.

Firefighters were also seen putting on life jackets at the scene.

One of the police cars was parked at the entrance to the West Oxford allotments on Botley Road.

Police officers gathered in the allotments and deployed a drone to assist them in their investigation.

The officers set the drone off on two separate occasions and let it circulate around the area of the river and the allotments.

The officers requested permission from Osney, St Thomas and New Botley Allotment Association who own the plots to release the drone.

The Oxford Mail asked the Allotment Association if the incident had forced them to close down the site, but they confirmed that the plots were already shut due to flooding.

Staff from the West Oxford Community Association at 23 Botley Road and The Holly Bush pub at 106 Bridge Street witnessed the incident.

However, they were unable to give any further details about it.  

Both businesses continued to operate as usual throughout the course of the afternoon.