Leicester river - latest: Nicola Bulley diving expert Peter Faulding joins search for missing two-year old boy
Diving expert Peter Faulding will join the search for toddler Xielo Maruziva who is missing in the River Soar
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Your support makes all the difference.The diving expert who joined the hunt for missing mother Nicola Bulley last year has been called in to help find a missing toddler in Leicestershire.
Peter Faulding, 61, who claimed to have found Ms Bulley’s body within six minutes in the River Wyre, Lancashire, has been recruited to find missing two-year-old Xielo Maruziva.
The “creative little boy” has been been missing since 18 February after he fell into the River Soar, Leicester, while out with his family in Aylestone Meadows.
Mr Faulding claimed Xielo’s family had contacted him to request his help, but that his offer of support was ignored by police.
Now, Mr Faulding and experts from private company Specialist Group International (SGI) will join the operation after “further conversations with search specialists and Xielo’s family”.
The search for the boy is in its second week, with the focus on the stretch of river around Watermead Park and Birstall over the weekend, police said.
Recap: Watch as specialist divers search River Soar for missing two-year-old Leicester boy
Specialist search teams continue search today, say police
Specialist teams are continuing the search for two-year-old Xielo Maruziva today, Leicestershire Police has said.
The search operation at the River Soar has remained ongoing since Sunday afternoon.
Parents desperate for return of ‘cheeky’ toddler who is their ‘bundle of joy’
The parents of two-year-old Xielo Maruziva are desperate for the return of their “cheeky” toddler as the search for him has entered its fifth day.
Xielo’s mother described her son as “cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring and independent”.
She said: “Xielo is a cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring and independent little boy. He never fails to make me laugh or smile and always loves a cuddle and some kisses.
“Xielo loves playing with his toys and watching cartoons including Bino and Fino.
“Me, his dad and the whole family are so heartbroken at what has happened. We thank everyone who has supported us and helped us during this time. We are extremely grateful for this.
“All we want is for Xielo to be found as soon as possible. Thank you.”
Yellow weather warning in place today as rain hampers search efforts
A yellow warning for rain is in place in Leicester today, as the weather hampers the search effort for missing Xielo Maruziva.
The Met Office issued the warning for between 5am and 6pm in southern England, saying “heavy rain may lead to flooding and disruption in some places”.
It comes as a Leicestershire Police spokesman told The Independent: “Rain is having an impact on the level of search and it is currently hammering down over Leicestershire.”
Recap: Watch as Leicester police dogs search for missing toddler in River Soar
Xielo described as ‘caring and independent’ little boy
Xielo’s mother described her son as “cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring and independent”.
She said: “Xielo is a cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring and independent little boy. He never fails to make me laugh or smile and always loves a cuddle and some kisses.
“Xielo loves playing with his toys and watching cartoons including Bino and Fino.
“Me, his dad and the whole family are so heartbroken at what has happened. We thank everyone who has supported us and helped us during this time. We are extremely grateful for this.
“All we want is for Xielo to be found as soon as possible. Thank you.”
Witness describes frantic search for Xielo
An eyewitness described the moment Xielo’s father tried to reach his son before he vanished in the water.
A 65-year-old woman, who is a nurse, said she was standing on a bridge when she saw a man enter the water on Sunday.
The woman, who didn’t want to be named, told the BBC: “I didn’t see the child fall in, but I heard shouting and at that point I didn’t know what was going on.
“I was running to tell the man to get out the water because it was absolutely torrent. I saw the man disappear under the arch. Then I knew there was a child in the water and I tried to look myself.”
Forces using, dogs, drones and kayaks to search for Xielo as public warned of starting own probes
The Metropolitan Police’s marine recovery dogs and rescue teams from Kent and West Mercia forces joined the operation on Tuesday.
The National Police Air Service and a drone unit have been supporting officers on the ground, while teams have also used night-vision goggles to search the water at night.
Environment Agency officers have also supported the operation with specialist mapping equipment, which has assisted police in identifying key search areas.
Leicestershire Police said officers had received a “large number of responses” from an appeal for witnesses to come forward.
However the force has urged members of the public not to attempt their own searches.
Locals say area around has been muddy floodplain for months as search for Xielo continues into fifth day
Leicestershire locals have said the initial search for Xielo would have been hindered by the muddy water rising out of the River Soar.
Xielo Maruziva, 2, has been missing since Sunday evening and his father was rushed to hospital after trying to save him.
One local to the nature reserve, said: “I live not too far away from there and go past the River Soar & Grand Union Canal every day. In good weather the river is shallow and clear, but it’s been high for ages and looks like mud.
“The whole area is a floodplain and has been bad on and off for months.”
His father said in a statement yesterday: “As a family we have been completely devastated over the past few days as the search for Xielo continues. It is hard to describe the pain and suffering we are going through.
“We would like to thank the search teams at the scene.
“We would also like to thank members of the public for all of your support. It is your prayers which are keeping us strong.”
Update on the search so far - who has taken part?
Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr has shared the organisations involved in the search for the toddler who fell into the River Soar on Sunday.
As well as Leicestershire police officers, specialist teams from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have taken part along with diving teams from Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire forces.
The National Police Air Service and drone unit continue to support officers on the ground.
The Environmental Agency has supported the operation with specialist mapping equipment which has assisted officers in identifying key search areas.
And Kent and West Mercia Police Search and Rescue team and the Metropolitan Police Marine Recovery dogs has also joined the operation.
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