After a man allegedly fell into a river and vanished, three individuals were detained on murder suspicion.
When a man told police that his companion, a man in his 20s, had fallen down an embankment and into the River Wye in Hereford, the police initiated a search operation.
However, police now think that the missing man was involved in a fight before the early-morning Saturday incident near Victoria Bridge.
The arrests have been disclosed to his family.
The man hasn’t been located despite the best efforts of fire personnel, paramedics, specially trained police search officers, and a police aircraft.
Along the riverside, a police perimeter and scene guard are still in place.
According to police, searches will probably last for a while with expert assistance.
Detective Chief Inspector Tony Garner, the senior investigating officer, stated: “Teams have searched the river again today, but regrettably have not been successful in locating the missing individual.
The arrests have been disclosed to his family.
“While our investigations are still in their early stages, we have now detained three persons on suspicion of murder in response to new information that the missing guy was involved in a fight.
They are currently being held by the police while we continue to look into the events that may have led up to the moment the man is thought to have entered the river.
“If anyone has any information that could help with our investigations, we urge them to get in touch with us. The information they provide could be crucial in putting the pieces of this tragic incident together.”
The Hereford city centre was the scene of an incident late last night, and West Mercia Police is asking any witnesses who may have seen it to come forward.