CCTV shows moment boy, 2, fell into River Sour as recovery dogs join desperate hunt for toddler, cops say
COPS desperately searching for a missing two-year-old boy have discovered CCTV showing him falling into a river.
A frantic search in Leicester was sparked after the toddler went missing while out with family on Sunday.
The tot’s loved ones were said to have leapt into the waterway to try to rescue him, but were unable to.
Water rescue teams and emergency services then raced to the river after getting frantic calls over the horror.
Today Kent and West Mercia Police Search and Rescue team and the Metropolitan Police Marine Recovery dogs will be joining the operation.
Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr said: “We have had tremendous support from the local community, and we thank everyone who has assisted with our enquiries.
“This is an extremely difficult time for the family, our thoughts are very much with them, and we continue to support them.
“A number of teams from across the force and region have assisted us during this operation and our priority remains to locate the young boy. Thank you to all our officers and specialist teams who continue to work extremely hard at the scene in what are very difficult circumstance for everyone involved.”
A man was also taken to hospital after the tragic incident as a “precautionary measure” on the day the toddler went missing.
Cops have urged people not to attend the scene over fears of rising water levels and safety risks.
It came after they received a number of requests to offer support in the search operation.
Local Alison Clay said she had been walking her dog when she noticed emergency services swarming the river.
She told BBC: “A helicopter was flying around after 5pm and lots of emergency vehicles soon came.
“There’s a drone in the sky still now. I only know what I’ve read on Facebook but it sounds terrible.”
Another resident said they’d been stopped from going down near the river this evening, adding: “The parents must be absolutely beside themselves.”
Leicestershire Police initially said the boy was three, before confirming he was two.
At 10.30pm on the day of the incident the force said: “Earlier this evening 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 operation is ongoing and will continue with additional specialist teams in the morning.”
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said around 8pm: “This is a police-led incident.
“We can confirm we were alerted at 17:05 and still have water rescue teams at the scene.”