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Lucas Dobson: Six-year-old boy missing after falling into river while fishing

Rescue teams are searching for a missing six-year-old boy who fell into a river while fishing.

Lucas Dobson disappeared after falling into the River Stour in Sandwich, Kent, at about 1.20pm on Saturday.

Dozens of volunteers lined up to help specialist diving teams and the emergency services as the search resumed on Sunday morning.

Superintendent Amanda Tillotson of Kent Police said: “I would like to thank those members of the public who are helping to search for Lucas but would reiterate my advice to them to please stay away from the water for their own safety.

“This is understandably a very difficult and upsetting time for Lucas’ family and our officers are continuing to support them.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said it had been “inundated with offers of support” from members of the public.

The brigade said a one-mile exclusion zone had been set up on the river to stop public vessels such as canoes or boats with engines from entering the search area and to keep the water as still as possible.

A spokesperson added: “Emergency services have been working together to coordinate a search that takes in land, the river banks and along and in the water of the River Stour near Sandwich.

“The coordinated search by the emergency services, partner agencies and charities has involved specialist and experienced search and rescue teams.

“There has also been a large number of local people helping to do their bit in trying to find him.

“KFRS has over 30 members of staff at the scene from firefighters, the water rescue unit, technical rescue, who have been using the drone, and Buzz the KFRS search and rescue dog who is also part of the operation.

“The search has involved each agency working in zones to focus the coordinated efforts. Members of the public have also been allocated zones in the search.”