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Ben Needham search: Toddler 'feared dead in digger crush' Ben Needham search: Toddler 'feared dead in digger crush'
(about 1 hour later)
Missing toddler Ben Needham may have been crushed to death by a digger, campaigners searching for him have been told.Missing toddler Ben Needham may have been crushed to death by a digger, campaigners searching for him have been told.
Ben, from Sheffield, was 21 months old when he disappeared on the Greek island of Kos on 24 July 1991.Ben, from Sheffield, was 21 months old when he disappeared on the Greek island of Kos on 24 July 1991.
The official campaign group, headed by his mother, said police were set to excavate two sites on the island.The official campaign group, headed by his mother, said police were set to excavate two sites on the island.
Police, who suspect Ben died 25 years ago, have told his mother to "prepare for the worst", the Daily Mirror says.Police, who suspect Ben died 25 years ago, have told his mother to "prepare for the worst", the Daily Mirror says.
More on this story and other news from across South Yorkshire
Kerry Needham told the newspaper: "They are no longer looking for a missing person. How do I cope with that?"Kerry Needham told the newspaper: "They are no longer looking for a missing person. How do I cope with that?"
No traceNo trace
Ben vanished after travelling to the island with his mother and grandparents who were renovating a run-down farmhouse building in the village of Iraklis.Ben vanished after travelling to the island with his mother and grandparents who were renovating a run-down farmhouse building in the village of Iraklis.
The dig is to take place close to where Ben was last seen playing near his grandparents' home.The dig is to take place close to where Ben was last seen playing near his grandparents' home.
Det Supt Matt Fenwick, of South Yorkshire Police, said: "There will be planned operational activity at two locations on the island that have been identified as areas of interest to the investigation.Det Supt Matt Fenwick, of South Yorkshire Police, said: "There will be planned operational activity at two locations on the island that have been identified as areas of interest to the investigation.
"We continue to keep an open mind and have updated Ben's family about certain lines of inquiry we're currently exploring.""We continue to keep an open mind and have updated Ben's family about certain lines of inquiry we're currently exploring."
He said an appeal in May, when officers returned to Kos to carry out house-to-house visits and distribute leaflets and posters, had "prompted new information and lines of inquiry".He said an appeal in May, when officers returned to Kos to carry out house-to-house visits and distribute leaflets and posters, had "prompted new information and lines of inquiry".
Earlier this year, the force secured £450,000 from the Home Office to help in the search on top of the £700,000 it secured in 2015.Earlier this year, the force secured £450,000 from the Home Office to help in the search on top of the £700,000 it secured in 2015.
A DNA test was carried out on a man in Cyprus in an attempt to establish if he could be Ben but it proved negative in 2013.A DNA test was carried out on a man in Cyprus in an attempt to establish if he could be Ben but it proved negative in 2013.
In 2012, a police operation focused on a mound of earth and rubble close to where the toddler was last seen but no trace of him was found.In 2012, a police operation focused on a mound of earth and rubble close to where the toddler was last seen but no trace of him was found.