Missing Teen 'Jumped From Ferry For £100 Bet'

A teenager who was last seen jumping from a ferry may have leapt into the water for a £100 bet, police say.

Jordan Cobb, 16, was intending to take part in a New Year's Eve street party in Torpoint, Cornwall, after catching the ferry from Plymouth, Devon.

The alarm was raised shortly after 9pm when he vanished beneath the surface of the River Tamar, around 70 yards from the shore.

Police investigating his disappearance say they have been scanning social media and believe it may be the result of a "prank gone wrong".

They are still trying to track a handful of people who are believed to have been with Jordan at the time.

Detective Inspector Nick West, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "We know that there was a discussion between the group about something - we're still waiting for some people to come forward and clarify what went on.

"But we understand that for some reason Jordan has given his bag to a friend, he's jumped up on to the front of the ferry and then jumped into the water."

"There is information that suggests this is all a prank," he said, adding that one of the group Jordan was with reportedly mentioned a bet.

"We do understand that the figure of about £100 has been discussed, but that hasn't been confirmed. That's one line of inquiry that we're keeping an open mind on."

Low tides have allowed specialist dive teams, the coastguard and the Ministry of Defence to carry out an extensive search for the missing teenager.

His friends have previously searched sections of the coastline and posted pleas for information on social media sites.

Det Insp West said officers remain hopeful of finding him alive even though it was 10 days since he had vanished.

"It is still a missing persons inquiry," he said. "Obviously, we will keep all hope that Jordan is out there alive and well.

"As time goes by, we have to be realistic. We will never forget that he is missing. If this is a tragic act that's gone wrong, then lessons need to be learned from it.

"If this is a prank that hasn't gone wrong - he's jumped into the river and he's embarrassed by the fact he's caused all this commotion and all this activity, his friends' involvement and his family's distress - (and) he's just hiding somewhere, then I would appeal for him to come forward."