A schoolboy is missing after falling from Tower Bridge into the River Thames.

The 13-year-old has not been found for three days despite an "intensive search" police said.

The Year 8 Ark Globe Academy pupil was thought to have been travelling with a friend on a bus at 8am on Tuesday morning (April 23) but did not arrive at his school in south London.

In a letter to parents on Wednesday, executive principal Matt Jones said the boy was in full school uniform but exited near the bridge, before his usual stop closest to the school in Elephant and Castle.

Mr Jones said in his letter: “It is with worry that I share news about (the pupil’s name), a Year 8 student at Ark Globe Academy.

“On the morning of Tuesday April 20, (he) did not make his way into school despite travelling on a bus with a friend in full school uniform.

“He got off the bus near Tower Bridge before his usual bus stop nearest to Ark Globe Academy and fell into the River Thames.

“At this moment in time, police are treating this case as a ‘missing persons’ incident.”

Mr Jones said in a statement on Friday that the student did not arrive at school on the morning of April 20.

He said: “This is obviously distressing news for the young person’s family, friends, and the wider Ark Globe Community.

“As a school community, we are dealing with this sensitively so as not to compromise the integrity of the police investigation and we wish to respect the privacy of the family while the investigation is ongoing.

“Our hopes and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time.”

A City of London Police spokesperson said the force was working with the Metropolitan Police as part of the “missing person” investigation.

The spokesperson said: “We believe this is linked to an incident where a child fell into the Thames from Tower Bridge.

“Despite an intensive search by City of London Police, the police helicopter and marine units, this person has not yet been found.

“We ask anyone who witnessed anything on Tuesday April 20 at 8.09am, to call us on 020 7601 2999, quoting reference 21000215310.”