These three men could hold vital information about York river death

Police investigating a York river death are appealing for these men to come forward.

Officers believe they were in the King’s Staith area of the city centre in the minutes leading up to an incident during the early hours of Saturday 20 April, when 29-year-old Steven O’Neill sadly died after he entered the River Ouse.

The men are believed to have been on a night out in the city on Friday, 19 April 2019 and the early hours of the next day.

Police believe they could have important information that could assist their investigation into the events that led up to Steven’s death.

Two investigations

At the time police said officers were alerted by CCTV to suspicious activity around King’s Staith at about 1.20am on 20 April.

“Police officers were dispatched to the scene, but on police arrival a man ran off from the officers and entered the River Ouse a short time later,” a spokesperson said.

Despite a rescue attempt involving York Rescue Boat and the fire service, Mr O’Neill’s body was recovered from the water at about 3am.

North Yorkshire Police is urging any of the men who recognise themselves from the images, or anyone who thinks they may know the men, to get in touch – see below.

In addition to the local investigation, an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct remains ongoing after the case was referred to them by North Yorkshire Police due to police contact with Steven prior to his death.

How to help the police