Extra police and emergency resources are being added as a major search was today renewed for a boy, two, who fell into a river on a day out with family – amid fears rising water levels could hamper the mission.
Leicestershire Police revealed they were stepping up their hunt for the missing toddler who went into the River Soar near Aylstone at about 5pm yesterday.
Flooding and rising tides in the area have intensified concerns for the youngster, who had been enjoying a day out with his family in the Leicestershire town.
A man was last night taken to hospital as a precaution, while a drone was seen in the air as part of search efforts.
Police and fire crews called off their hunt for the child at about 9.30pm but officers remained close to the scene overnight, ready to act on any new information.
Flooding and rising tides in the area have intensified concerns for the youngster in Leicester
Officers were hunting for a two-year-old boy who went into the River Soar at 5pm on Sunday
Leicestershire Police revealed they were stepping up their hunt for the missing toddler
Police and fire crews called off their hunt for the child at about 9.30pm yesterday but have begun again this morning
The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for the Upper Soar catchment area
The search is taking place in the River Soar near Aylestone Meadows Local Nature Reserve
The search is resuming today, with a Leicestershire Police spokeswoman telling this morning: ‘The operation continued throughout the night and additional resources will be going out to the scene this morning.
‘The fire service came away at half past nine last night but police officers remained in the vicinity and were monitoring any information coming in and resources were ready to go out and respond if needed.
‘There are rising water levels in the area, and flooding, and we’re going to be bringing in additional resources today to assist with that.’
Today’s search operation has included two Tactical Support Unit boats.
The Environment Agency has issued a yellow flood warning for the Upper Soar catchment area, which means flooding is considered ‘possible’.
A police helicopter was seen searching the river at about 5.40pm yesterday, later replaced with a drone.
The helicopter then returned at 6.40pm after refuelling and was lighting up the search area.
The road between Braunstone Lane East and Middleton Street remained closed.
Local man Adam, who did not want to give his surname, was with his daughter on their bikes nearby.
He told the BBC: ‘We usually ride along the river by Aylestone Meadows but the police told us not to go tonight when we went down there. The parents must be absolutely beside themselves.’
Aylestone ward councillor Nigel Porter today told LeicestershireLive: ‘I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear this news. Our thoughts in Aylestone are with the little boy’s family at this difficult time.’
Tactical Support Unit boats have been sent into action while officers have entered the river too
The search operation continues on the River Soar in Leicester after a two-year-old boy fell in
Police are concerned about rising water levels in the area and flooding as they carry on search
Leicestershire Police says the toddler’s family is being supported while searches continue
While the boy remained missing, a man was taken to hospital as a ‘precautionary measure’
More resources were sent to the scene near Aylestone and Braunstone on Monday morning
Officers have concerns about rising water levels in the area potentially hampering efforts
Police had launched the major search operation on Sunday evening shortly after 5pm
A police helicopter was sighted searching the river in Braunstone, Leicestershire, at about 5.40pm on Sunday – later replaced with a drone
The helicopter returned at 6.40pm after refuelling and was seen lighting up the search area
Police have said the search was resuming on Monday morning, with additional resources
The force said that ‘despite the best efforts of those at the scene’, the toddler has not been found – while also confirming a man has been taken to hospital as a precaution
A statement released by the police last night said: ‘Earlier this evening (Sunday 18 February) officers were called to the River Soar in Leicester after reports of a child falling into the water.
‘The child, a two-year-old boy, was with family when he fell into the river, sadly despite the best efforts of those at the scene at the time the child was not located.
‘Emergency services attended the scene just after 5pm and a search and rescue operation began in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane.
‘A man was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
‘The child’s family are being supported by specialist officers and 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.
‘Specialist teams are on standby to respond to any information received.’
A spokesperson for the fire and rescue service said: ‘This is a police-led incident. We can confirm we were alerted at 17:05 and still have water rescue teams at the scene.’