8:55am Thursday 22nd February 2007
The family of drowned Oxford teenager Ben Halsey-Jones have spoken of their relief at recovering his body.
Ben, 15, who lived in Wolvercote and was a Year 10 pupil at The Cherwell School, went missing after falling into the swollen River Thames, near Port Meadow, on January 21. His body was recovered on Friday.
His parents, Rob Jones and Liz Halsey, brothers Sam and Jake, and sister Hannah, said in a statement: "We were delighted to hear the news that Ben had been found - news we had feared but also longed for.
"We have received a tremendous amount of support from the police and the rescue services, both our local church in Wolvercote and the church we attend, our local community in Wolvercote, the children's schools, our work colleagues and our friends and families.
"Without this huge body of support, the last month would have been much more difficult to bear and we shall always be grateful to everybody for helping us through this very painful time.
"We have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and tributes to Ben; he would have been amazed. We are looking forward to saying goodbye and celebrating his life."
More than 120 messages were left on the this website.
An inquest into Ben's death was opened and adjourned on Monday.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk