Family's ordeal over as River Don body identified

A BODY recovered from the River Don has been identified as an 82-year-old missing Rotherham man.

Ernest Lancaster went missing from his home on Alric Drive, Brinsworth, on April 7 and had not been seen since, despite repeated police appeals for information.

But on Sunday night police were called a weir outside Doncaster Prison after a member of the public reported spotting a body in the water.

An operation to retrieve the body did not conclude until on Tuesday night, however, as officers’ efforts were scuppered by high water levels and debris—the result of the recent heavy rainfall.

An RAF Sea King helicopter was eventually drafted in to bring an end to the near-48 hour ordeal.

Identification of the body took place this afternoon.

A police spokeswoman said: “Mr Lancaster’s family have been informed of the identity of the man found on the weir.

“They have expressed their thanks to the emergency services for their efforts in the search and recovery operation and also to the media, who have been praised for the compassion and support at what is a very difficult time for them.”

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