Cops searching for missing toddler, 2, who vanished in river issue major warning
Detectives say they are still hunting for a two-year-old boy who fell into a river in Leicester on Sunday.
The youngster vanished on Sunday after falling into the River Soar, prompting an urgent manhunt involving a helicopter and drones. The search was halted late on Sunday night due to the conditions, but resumed on Monday morning.
Leicestershire Police on Monday said they were throwing everything into the search which at this point, was still being treated as a rescue operation of the highest priority. The force were called just after 5pm on Sunday to reports he had fallen in while out with his family, with a man who also went in to the water later taken to hospital.
Speaking to press near to the scene on Monday afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerrin said the force were continuing their search and warned people to stay away. She said: “Our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.
“We have had a number of offers of support to assist with the search and would kindly ask that people do not attend the scene due to rising water levels and safety risks. If anyone has any information or comes across anything that may assist officers, they are asked to contact us immediately.”
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The two-year-old fell into the River Soar on Sunday evening (PA)The police chief said: ”Since 5pm yesterday evening we've had a real extensive search area," adding that officers "have extended it" and that she was "very confident of the parameters". Taking questions, she said she was "very confident" they would find the youngster.
"Our absolute priority is to find that little boy and return him to his family," ACC Kerrin said. The senior police officer has refused to release more details about the boy's identity at this time, but confirmed he was from a family who lived locally and that a person who entered the water alongside him was a relative.
A helicopter and drone was seen scouring the area around the rover on Sunday evening and remained hovering around the scene on Monday. The force said the search was temporarily paused last night due to the darkness, before it was then resumed again this morning.
A spokesperson for the force said late on Sunday night that, sadly, despite best efforts, the boy could not be found. The man who also went into the water was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, the force said.
The spokesperson said on Sunday evening: "The operation is ongoing and will continue with additional specialist teams in the morning. The child’s family are being supported by specialist officers and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time."
The search was temporarily paused due to the darkness, before it was then resumed again this morning (PA)Specialist search teams were seen combing the river on Monday, with officers out in rubber dinghies scouring the water and river banks. The area of the river where he disappeared is part of Aylestone Meadows, a beauty spot popular with walkers.
Water levels at the spot remain extremely high from previous flooding, with the river and nearby Grand Union Canal almost connected. Police on Monday said this made the search even more difficult, but that they were throwing all specialised resources into the operation.
Members of the public were also urged not to try searching themselves earlier on Sunday night due to water levels being high and dangers being increased. The spokesperson added: "We have had a number of offers of support to assist with the search and would kindly ask that people do not attend the scene due to rising water levels and safety risks."
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