The father of a missing two-year-old boy jumped into the River Soar in a desperate bid to save the toddler as the search continues
THE father of a missing two-year-old boy jumped into the River Soar in a desperate bid to save the toddler.
The child was with family when he fell into the river Leicester and has yet to be located.
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The operation is underway and will continue on Monday morning with “additional specialist teams”, the force said.
Emergency services arrived at the scene just after 5pm and a search and rescue operation began in Aylestone Meadows, near Marsden Lane.
Police said a man was taken to hospital “as a precaution.”
The child's family is being supported by specialist officers.
Leicestershire Police said: “Our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.
“We have received a number of offers of support to assist with the search and would kindly ask people not to attend the scene due to rising water levels and safety risks.
“If anyone has any information or comes across anything that could assist officers, they are asked to contact us immediately.”
A long-standing resident whose home overlooks Aylestone Meadows said flooding from the River Soar in recent weeks had left parts of the nature reserve in a treacherous state.
She said a helicopter initially flew over the area for about an hour after it was reported that a two-year-old child had gone missing and possibly fallen into the river.
The resident told reporters: “It seemed to have been floating there for a long time.
“It felt like it was above my house. The lights were on and it didn't move for about an hour.”
The woman, who regularly walks in the area, said a nearby canal and the river sometimes “run into one” during peak periods of flooding.
“It's flowing fast,” she said of the current conditions. “It's been very bad.
“It's devastating to think how they (family members) must feel.”
People are asked to contact 999 with information quoting incident 476:180224.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said police led the operation.
Inside a difficult search for a missing toddler in the fast-flowing River Soar
Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr confirmed that Leicestershire Police has stepped up its resources to find the child.
She said: “I would like to emphasize again that we have all the specialist resources you need in a case like this.
“Our absolute priority is to find that little boy and get him back to his family.”
ACC Kerr said police were using specialist divers in the river and a helicopter equipped with aerial technology.
She asked the population not to come to the area for their own safety.