Body found in Romania believed to be missing British hiker George Smyth

Family paid tribute to Bristol University geology student, 18, after being notified by Avon and Somerset police

A body has been found in the search for an 18-year-old British man who went missing last year while hiking in Romania , UK police said.

George Smyth, a geology student at the University of Bristol , went missing in November.

On Saturday, Avon and Somerset police said a body found in the region of the country is believed to be that of Smyth.

His family have been informed and are being supported by a family liaison officer, the force added.

Smyth’s family said: “We are all devastated by George’s death.

“He was the best of us and is deeply missed by his younger brothers, family and friends.

“We want to thank Salvamont mountain rescue, who have worked tirelessly since November searching for George, despite very difficult and often dangerous conditions.

“They are an amazing team, and have remained in constant communication, helping us greatly throughout this awful time.”

Efforts will be made to return Smyth’s body to the UK once formal identification has taken place.

The family’s statement added: “We would also like to thank Avon and Somerset police and University of Bristol, who have gone above and beyond to try and find George, and to support us as a family.

“Although this latest news is incredibly painful, the torture of waiting is finally over, so we can now focus on bringing George home and saying goodbye.

“We would appreciate privacy while we continue to come to terms with this loss.”

On Wednesday, mountain rescue teams said they had resumed their search in “previously indicated areas, under rock walls, in grates and in the hard-to-reach sectors” but without success.

The student, from Newport in Shropshire, is believed to have left Poiana Brașov heading to Bran. He reached Țigănești, where he made an emergency call for help.

At the time, rescuers said he was in a “very isolated and hard to access mountain area” and the weather conditions were extremely severe with strong winds, heavy snowfall and dense fog.

The search and rescue operation also involved a canine unit, drones and helicopters being deployed.

Sebastian Marinescu, from the area’s mountain rescue service, previously told the BBC the 18-year-old “was disoriented, physically exhausted, and already showing signs of hypothermia” when they received the emergency call.