Body found in search for missing Worcestershire sailor from UK’s top-secret nuclear submarines

A body has been found during the search for a missing Royal Navy sailor from the UK’s top-secret nuclear submarines. Josh Gayton, from Worcestershire, was last seen following a night out in Scotland last week.

The 21-year-old, from Evesham, was reported missing hours later after failing to report for duty at the Faslane naval base in Helensburgh in Dunbartonshire, on Tuesday, April 16. He was thought to have been unfamiliar with the area.

His shipmates launched their own search in a bid to find him with appeals online. But now Police Scotland has confirmed the body of a man was found in the water nearby. Formal identification was yet to take place, but Josh's family have been informed of the discovery.

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A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Around 6.20pm on Sunday, April 21, police received a report the body of a man had been found in water off Helensburgh. Formal identification has still to take place, however, the family of Joshua Gayton, last seen in Helensburgh on Tuesday, April 16, has been notified."

A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out. Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Police said, following a previous appeal, a member of the public seen speaking to Josh in Helensburgh at 12.25am last Tuesday, had come forward. CCTV inquiries found he was last seen on East Clyde Street and West Clyde Street between 12.15am and 12.46am.

Chief Insp Allan Dickson said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Joshua. We would like to thank the community and everyone who shared and responded to our missing person appeal.

“We asked a member of the public who was seen speaking to Josh outside a restaurant on West Clyde Street at 12.25am in the town to come forward and they did so and provided information for our enquiries. Officers are continuing to support Josh’s family at what is a very hard time for them. His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”

It was also reported that Josh had been spoken to by officers shortly before the last sighting of him. A Police Scotland spokesman added: "At 12.05am on Tuesday, April 16, in West Clyde Street, Helensburgh, a 21-year-old man was issued with a fixed penalty notice in connection with a public urination offence."

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