Father tried to rescue son, 2, who fell into River Soar as police continue major search operation

  • ITV News Central Correspondent Rajiv Popat reports from Aylestone Meadows

The father of a missing two-year-old boy who fell into a river in Leicester entered the water to try and rescue his son, police have confirmed.

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

The boy was with his family when he fell into the River Soar.

Leicestershire Police confirmed on Monday that a man who entered the water after the boy to try and rescue him was his father.

Police said he was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure and has since been discharged.

  • ACC Kerr gave an update on the missing child at a press conference

Leicestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr said specialist dive teams are continuing the search for the boy throughout Monday.

Issuing a statement near the scene of the search, Ms Kerr said: "I would like to begin by extending my thoughts to the family, who we recognise must be going through a very distressing time at this particular moment.

"We do have specialist officers with that family and we are ensuring that we share any information and developments with them."

Leicestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr speaking at the scene of the search. Credit: PA

Ms Kerr adds: "We have today reinforced our resources searching for that little boy.

"We are using specialist divers within the River Soar and we continue to use the helicopter and aerial technology to try and locate the little boy.

"Our priority for Leicestershire Police is to make sure that we find this little boy."

A 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 had initially flown over the area for around an hour after reports a two-year-old child had fallen in the river.

The resident said: "It seemed to be there for a long time hovering.

"It felt as if it was above my house. The lights were on and it didn’t move for about an hour or so."

The woman, who says she walks regularly in the area, said a nearby canal and the river sometimes "go into one" during peak flooding periods.

She said the current conditions are "quite bad" and "fast-flowing, and added: "It’s devastating to think how [the family] must be feeling."

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