Major search after reports child, 3, fell into river.
Emergency services rushed to reports of a person in the River soar this evening.
The Road is currently closed Braunstone Lane East and Middleton Street.
Please avoid this area if possible.
The Police helicopter was seen searching the river around 17:40 tonight and has now been replace with a police drone.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service are now in-attendance.
The police helicopter returned at 18:40 after refuelling and is now continuing to light up the search area.
A spokesperson from Leicestershire police said:
“Police and emergency services are dealing with an incident near to Aylestone Road, Braunstone, following reports of a 3 year old child falling in to the River Soar around 5pm today (Sunday 18 February).
All services are in attendance as the search for the child continues.
Further updates will be given when appropriate.”
🔴 Police updated statement 22:45
Police operation ongoing after child falls in River Soar, Leicester.
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.
The child’s family are being supported by specialist officers and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.
We have had a number of offers of support to assist with the search and would kindly ask that people do not attend the scene due to rising water levels and safety risks.
If anyone has any information or comes across anything that may assist officers, they are asked to contact us immediately.
Specialist teams are on standby to respond to any information received.
If you need to get in touch, please contact 999 quoting incident 476:180224.