Lucas Dobson funeral – Boy, 6, laid to rest on his seventh birthday after being swept away in river on tragic fishing trip
LUCAS Dobson – who died after falling into a river while on a family fishing trip – will be laid to rest today in a Lightning McQueen themed coffin.
The youngster’s funeral is tragically on what would have been his seventh birthday, with a theme of the Pixar hit Cars running through the poignant service.
He fell into the River Stour in Sandwich, Kent, on August 17, and his body was found five days later. The funeral for the little boy is at St. George’s Church, Deal, this afternoon.
Mourners arrived at the church wearing black and red items, before his coffin was carried past a guard of honour made up of search and rescue workers, family and friends.
Ahead of the service his dad, Nathan Dobson, and mum, Kirsty Furze, urged people to raise money to help improve and raise awareness for river safety.
Posting a message to the ‘In Loving Memory of Lucas’ Facebook page, Mr Dobson said last week: “Funeral date is confirmed and is for everyone and anyone that would like to come to pay last respects to the little boy that brought so many people and so much love together.
“Friday the 13th is his birthday and the day we lay him to rest. Unlucky for no one on this day.”
He added: “There is so many flowers around and 99 per cent of them will end up in the bin, rather than spend more money on something to be thrown away and go to waste.
“We are raising money for the awareness campaign to improve river safety and also giving donations to all the unpaid emergency services that where involved in searching for our amazing little boy.”
EMOTIONAL GOODBYE
He added: “I just want to say thank you for everyone’s love, kindness and support.
“Just because we are laying him to rest it’s not goodbye from us or over in anyway.
“You will see all progress and what is put in place for the river and safety awareness for along time after.
“Thank you from the bottom of mine and Kirsty’s hearts we love you all and are so grateful our little boy can make such an impact and difference to the world.”
Mum Kirsty Furze, 31, said Lucas would have been “too scared to try swimming” despite having lessons.
She added: “Lucas will never ever ever be forgotten. I’m so overwhelmed with the support I have and had and so is Lucas’ dad”.
Experts from the emergency services used specialist equipment in order to find Lucas, including sonar detectors, underwater cameras, divers, dogs and drones.
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More than 200 volunteers helped in the hunt with some coming from outside the county to take part in the rescue.
Candlelit vigils were held in several coastal and inland towns and villages, while Twitter users shared images of lit candles under the hashtag #LightUpTheCoastForLucas in solidarity with his family.
An inquest has been adjourned until November 12.
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