A search for a teenager who jumped into a river from a ferry was last night called off without any trace of the boy being found.
Jordan Cobb, aged 16, could not be located despite dozens of people, plus boats and a police helicopter, joining the search of the River Tamar and its banks throughout the day yesterday.
His parents were last night said to be too distressed to talk publicly about their ordeal.
The search was not expected to resume.
Coastguard rescue teams, a helicopter, police and Ministry of Defence launches, Dartmoor Rescue Group and Plymouth's all-weather and inshore lifeboats were all involved in the hunt for the teenager, who was seen to jump from the Torpoint ferry, which travels across the Tamar, on New Year's Eve.
Inspector Simon Pawsey, of Devon and Cornwall police, said: "We know he jumped overboard. There was a group who had been out enjoying the New Year. They realised there was a problem when he did not surface."
Police, including divers, their Ministry of Defence police colleagues, coastguards, lifeboat crews, and the Dartmoor Rescue Group were all involved in the search for Jason, who had been out celebrating the New Year with a group of youngsters.
He jumped overboard as the vessel was about 50 to 60 metres from the Cornish shore. But friends did not see him emerge from the water and raised the alarm.
The river is bitterly cold at this time of year and there would have been a fast current of about four knots, about 4.5mph, on the Torpoint side, heading towards sea, as the tide was going out.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency last night tweeted: "Today's search for man missing near the Torpoint Ferry slipway, Cornwall, has been stood down.
"Despite an extensive search he wasn't found."
Brixham Coastguard was first alerted after receiving a Mayday distress call from the Torpoint ferry at 9.15pm reporting a man overboard near the ferry's slipway in Torpoint, Cornwall.
Friends of Jordan, from Plymouth, took to social networking sites to pray for his safe return.
Fletcher Medlen wrote on Facebook: "Jordan you mean the world to me your my best friend and you always will be I love you Jordan Cobb."
Matt Lethbridge tweeted: "Happy new year people but thoughts are with Jordan Cobb. Praying for you my man." He later added: "Going sleep hoping to wake up to good news about Jordan Cobb. Thoughts are with you mate."
Lauren Prend tweeted: "Praying for Jordan Cobb to be safe, can't believe what's happened to him. Wasn't that long ago when I spoke to him! Love you Jordan xxx"
Jeorgia Best tweeted: "Hope Jordan Cobb is okay :("
Katey Northcott added: "Thoughts go out to Jordan Cobb and his family hope he's alright. xx"
The Torpoint Ferry, which is pulled across the River Tamar on chains, is one of the main ways to travel between Devon and Cornwall and was established in 1791.
Brixham Coastguard was first alerted after receiving a Mayday distress call from the Torpoint ferry at 9.15pm reporting a man overboard near the ferry's slipway in Torpoint, Cornwall.
The search had resumed yesterday morning as there was a possibility he had managed to swim ashore. But last night there was no sign of him.
