(Image: NORTH NEWS LTD/NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)
Two men have released on bail after they were re-arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of a man in the River Tyne.
The pair, aged 22 and 23, were detained in connection with the death of Liam Potts, whose body was discovered in the river on August 18, and have now been released on police bail.
Liam had been reported missing on August 15, after a night out with friends.
Specialist officers from Northumbria Police’s Marine Unit made the discovery in the river close to Wylam Bridge on August 18.
Prior to Liam’s disappearance, officers received a report of a disturbance at The Boathouse and a subsequent collision on Wylam Bridge involving a vehicle and a group of pedestrians.
A man and woman in their 20s suffered serious injuries in the crash.
The woman has since been discharged from hospital, while the man is still receiving treatment.
Liam was not in the car and was not hit by it. He was last seen leaving the bridge on foot towards Wylam.
At first, officers did not think there was any third-party involvement in his disappearance.
But further investigations are now trying to find out if the disturbance and crash on Wylam Bridge directly led to Liam entering the water.
Northumbria Police's Major Investigation Team is leading the investigation.
After the latest arrests, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Rachael Rutherford, said: "The facts remain the same that Liam was on the bridge at the time of the collision, but he was not an occupant of the vehicle and was not struck by the vehicle.
"Enquiries have revealed that Liam, for reasons yet to be established, entered the water within minutes of the collision.
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"We have therefore made the further re-arrests as we are looking to establish whether there is any link between the collision and Liam entering the water."
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of Liam's death.