Leicestershire Police have launched a major search for a two-year-old boy after falling into the River Soar.
Specialist divers were deployed into the river as the second day of the search comes to a close.
A man was also rushed to hospital as a precautionary measure.
Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr confirmed the man was the boy’s father and he has since been discharged.
Leicestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr updates the media following reports of a two-year-old boy falling into the River Soar
PA
Officers from Leicestershire, Nottingham, Lincolnshire and the Metropolitan Police convened for a major search at Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane.
Emergency services gathered at just after 5pm on Sunday evening to start the search.
Specialist teams have joined the search operation, including police divers and a police helicopter.
Police have urged people not to attend the scene over fears of rising water levels and safety risks.
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A search operation underway on flooded fields by the River Soar
PA
A number of requests were made to provide support in the ongoing search operation.
Kerr said: “That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to us that we don’t have members of the public attempting any search, because it does require real skill in order to do so safely.
“I am confident we will find him. We are doing everything we possibly can.”
She added: “I’d like to reiterate that we’ve got all the specialist resources that you would want in a case like this.
Leicestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr updates the media following reports of a two-year-old boy falling into the River Soar
PA
“Our absolute priority is to find that little boy and return him to his family.”
Police said the investigation currently remains a “missing child” investigation, rather than a recovery operation.
Kerr also said: “It is an awful time for the family, and Leicestershire Police are doing everything to find the child and support the family at this unbelievably difficult time.
”We do know that one person went into the river to try and get the child, but sadly at this time, we have not been able to find the child.
”I am confident that we will find him, we are doing everything we possibly can.”
