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Kent emergency services search for child who fell in river Kent emergency services search for child, 6, who fell in river
(32 minutes later)
Emergency services in Kent are searching for a young child who fell into the River Stour in Sandwich on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services are searching for a child who fell into a river while fishing with his father on Saturday afternoon. Kent police said officers were called to Richborough Road in Sandwich over concern for the welfare of a child who had fallen into the River Stour.
Kent police said officers were carrying out a search of the area alongside the Coastguard and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. The six-year-old, named locally as Lucas, plunged into the water as he fished. It was reported he wasn’t wearing a life jacket. The child’s father jumped in after him but the boy has not been seen since.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: “Emergency services are working together to search for a young child who has fallen into the River Stour close to Richborough Road and the A256 at Sandwich. Crews together with police officers and others are searching the river using the service boat. The Coastguard helicopter is supporting from an aerial perspective.” Kent police are leading an intensive search, which also involves water safety units, an inshore lifeboat, Coastguard helicopter and Kent fire and rescue service, to find the missing boy, the force said.
Kent police stressed that members of the public wishing to help should not put themselves at risk. A fire service spokesman said: “Crews together with police officers and others are searching the river using the service boat. The Coastguard helicopter is supporting from an aerial perspective.” Drones are also being used.
Supt Amanda Tillotson said: “Whilst we appreciate the support we have received from members of the public who wish to help in the search, we would strongly advise people to stay away from the water. This is for their own safety and to ensure those working within the emergency services can focus solely on locating the missing boy.” The riverbed was the central focus of the search but a number of different waterways and a scrapyard, close to where boy went into the water, were also being examined.
The public joined the hunt along the riverbanks and the fire service held a public meeting to brief volunteers on Saturday evening. Other people shared their support with messages of hope online.
The fire service said the child was last seen wearing a black and white T-shirt.
Supt Amanda Tillotson at Kent police said: “While we appreciate the support we have received from members of the public who wish to help in the search, we would strongly advise people to stay away from the water.
“This is for their own safety and to ensure those working within the emergency services can focus solely on locating the missing boy.”
Services cautioned the public not to place themselves at risk. Kent police warned that roads have been closed in the area.
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