Major search after boy, 2, falls into river in Leicestershire

Police say the search will continue on Monday morning after rescue teams were unble to find boy after he fell into River Soar in Leicestershire

Police are searching for the child in the River Soar, Leicestershire (PA Archive)

A major search is underway for a two-year-old boy who fell into a river in Leicestershire. Police are looking for the child in the River Soar after the report came in around 5pm on Sunday.

Officers said the boy was with his family when he entered the water and he had not been found by 10.30pm. Emergency services attended and a search and rescue operation began in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane.

Footage posted online shows police on a bridge near Riverside Drive. A helicopter was also seen hovering above the scene using a searchlight to scan the area.

A man was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. The operation is ongoing and will continue with additional specialist teams in the morning, police said.

The child’s family are being supported by specialist officers.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: “Earlier this evening (Sunday 18 February) officers were called to the River Soar in Leicester after reports of a child falling into the water.

“The child, a 3-year-old boy, was with family when he fell into the river, sadly despite the best efforts of those at the scene at the time the child was not located.

“Emergency services attended the scene just after 5pm and a search and rescue operation began in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane.”

“A man was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

“The operation is ongoing and will continue with additional specialist teams in the morning.”

Police said they received multiple offers of help from members of the public but urged them not to attend due to the rising water levels and safety risks.

Anyone who has information about the incident is urged to contact Leicestershire Police through the usual channels, quoting reference number 476:180224.