Teen missing in mountains is lost to us, family say

The family of a teenager who went missing while hiking in the Romanian mountains said it was "cruel beyond belief" but they now had to accept he was lost to them.

University of Bristol student George Smyth, from Newport in Shropshire, has been missing in the Bucegi Mountains since 23 November, according to Brașov mountain rescue.

Smyth's family have now issued a statement via the rugby club he played for, detailing their "immense grief and sadness that we can no longer see him, speak to him or hold him in our arms".

"When the mountains that took him are ready to let go, George will be found, and we will bring him home to say goodbye," they said.

Smyth set off from Poiana Braşov, contacting rescuers from Tiganesti. His family said he had not told them he was making the trip.

Sebastian Marinescu, from the area's mountain rescue service, previously told the BBC the 18-year-old "was disoriented, physically exhausted, and already showing signs of hypothermia" when they received the emergency call.

Marinescu described Smyth's location as in a "very isolated and hard-to-access mountain area" and the weather conditions "were extremely severe with strong winds, heavy snowfall, and dense fog".

The search for Smyth was repeatedly hampered by adverse weather conditions including the risk of avalanche.

Speaking earlier, Marinescu said search operations had been temporarily suspended again because of the "high and persistent avalanche risk in the area", as well as snow accumulations making it unsafe.

"Although our teams are heavily engaged in ongoing rescue operations, particularly within the ski area, a dedicated unit of specially trained mountain rescuers remains on standby and fully prepared to intervene immediately should new information or relevant indications arise," he said.

Smyth's family issued a statement via Newport Salop RUFC, in which they asked people to help them commemorate his life by sharing their own thoughts and memories of the 18-year-old.

His family said they had taken great comfort in reminiscing with family and friends and talking about the adventures they had shared with him.

In their message, they said: "To everyone that has been affected by George's sudden loss, we are deeply sorry for the pain we all share.

"Thank you for your support, which has been a huge help to us during this desperate time.

"We are incredibly moved by your love for George, which is a fitting reflection of what he means to us all."

Describing him, they said: "George was a phenomenally kind and selfless person, fiercely loyal to his friends and full of energy and enthusiasm for everything he did.

"We will never forget George's unique character. He brought so much to our lives and had more impact on the world during his eighteen years than many people achieve over much longer periods."

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