Police recover body of man, 22, after River Severn incident in Shrewsbury

Authorities have recovered the body of a 22-year-old man who was last seen entering the River Severn in Shrewsbury early Friday morning, prompting a three-day search by emergency crews.

Brody Leach was reported to have gone into the river near the town’s Quarry park just after 04:00 BST, wearing only jeans and no T-shirt, according to West Mercia Police. Witnesses indicated he had quickly got into difficulty in the water, the force said in a statement.

His body was later located by specialist search teams and formally identified by his family. Officers have confirmed his next of kin have been notified and have asked for privacy during this difficult time. Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious.

The incident led to a temporary closure of parts of the Quarry park, Porthill Bridge and Victoria Avenue while West Mercia Search and Rescue teams conducted searches. Those areas have since reopened, though additional police patrols will remain in place on Saturday to reassure residents and visitors.

Local community members expressed shock at the tragedy, with some noting the river’s strong currents in that stretch. Authorities have reminded the public to exercise caution near waterways, especially during early-morning hours.

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