Boy, 2, missing after falling into River Soar in Leicester while with family

  • ITV News Central Correspondent Rajiv Popat reports from Aylestone Meadows

A two-year-old boy is missing after falling into the River Soar in Leicester.

Police were called to Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane just after 5pm on Sunday.

The child had been with family when he fell into the River Soar and has yet to be located, according to Leicestershire Police.

A search operation has since been launched following reports of the toddler falling into a river.

Father tried to rescue son, 2, who fell into River Soar

Crews searching the River Soar on the morning of Monday 19 February.

The force said: "Sadly despite the best efforts of those at the scene at the time the child was not located."

The operation is ongoing and will continue with "additional specialist teams" on Monday morning, police confirmed.

Officers said a man was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure and that the search will be aided by additional specialist teams in the morning.

The search operation is continuing with “additional specialist teams” this morning, the force said. Credit: BPM Media

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, posted on 'X': "This is devastating beyond belief.

"The thoughts and prayers of all of us in Leicester will be with this little boy and his family."

Specialist officers are also supporting the child’s family.

Leicestershire Police is urging anyone with any information to get in touch, by calling 999 quoting incident 476:180224. 

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said police were leading the operation.

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