THE search for missing soldier Tyler Pearson has been continuing, with help from some high-tech equipment.

The 18-year-old who is a signaller in the Army, was last seen in the River Ouse in the centre of York at about 2.30am on April 3.

The police’s underwater search unit was on the Ouse again today (Friday, April 11), using specialist scanning equipment to search a section of the river close to Skeldergate Bridge, downstream from King's Staith, where he was last seen.

Sergeant Steve Birss said the Hammerhead 360-degree scanner speeded up the search process, allowing a greater section of the river to be covered more quickly. It has been loaned to the team by its manufacturer Tritech.

It is the second time the team has used the equipment, which sits on a tripod on the riverbed and streams real-time images to the team on the banks and allowing Sgt Birss to pinpoint areas of interest before sending a diver into the water.

Sgt Birss said: "The company has given it free of charge twice now we've used it, both times in York. Once for Megan Roberts and now for Tyler Pearson. So far it hasn't found anything, but it helps us rule out a large area.

"We have perfect conditions today. It's not cold, there's very little movement in the water. There's still very little visibility."