The search for a six-year-old boy, Lucas Dobson, who was swept away after falling into a river is to be resumed. Police have said it is unlikely that he will now be found alive.
Photo: CHLOEE MARTIN
Search teams worked until darkness to find Lucas Dobson however there is still no sign of the young boy. Officer are searching alongside Kent Fire and Rescue, Margate Coastguard Rescue Team and divers.
Lucas fell into the River Stour in Sandwich at 13:30 BST on Saturday whilst fishing with family, he has not been found since. Supt Amanda Tillotson of Kent police said more than 100 members of the emergency services and 200 volunteers had been taking part in the search.
Supt Amanda Tillotson said: “I’ve just come from speaking to the family myself, and they wish to pass on their absolute gratitude for everybody, and they are overwhelmed at the amount of people that have come out to help and search for Lucas.”
When questioned about the possibility of Lucas being alive she said: “Obviously as time has gone on now I think it is unlikely, unfortunately.
“But we will continue to search, and obviously I would like to have a positive outcome. I would like to find Lucas. We are getting increasingly concerned with the amount of time that is going on now.
“But it is really important that we continue to search for Lucas and continue to do that for the family, and my heart goes out to them. It really does.”
She said the search team was working hard “to bring a quick resolution and find Lucas as quickly as we can for the family”.
Three adults including Lucas’ father jumped in to try and save him but Lucas was swept away by the strong current. A Facebook page called Search For Lucas said he was wearing a black and red striped T-shirt with white shorts.
Lucas’s aunt, Maciee Stanford, said: “He was with his dad and his dad’s friends along with other children.
“The incident happened because our Lucas was on the jetty and tried to step from there on to the boat, but he fell in between the jetty and the boat.
“As soon as he fell the three adults jumped in after [him] but the current was too strong. He had already gone in the short amount of time. He could not be found.
“They fish and do this regularly as it is behind one of the men’s houses. All the children play together here.”
The search continues…
