Noah went missing on Tuesday around 3 p.m. local time from a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, when he separated from a relative, BBC reports.
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Found in a pond
Suffolk police chief Tom Pearse said that diver teams found the child’s body in a nearby pond. According to him, the death is being investigated as unexplained, but no suspicious circumstances have been identified.
T. Pearse stated that official identification has not yet taken place, but Noah’s family has already been informed.
“Our thoughts are with Noah’s family and everyone who knew him,” he said.
1,300 people helped search
“We were overwhelmed by such strong community support and people’s willingness to contribute to the search.”
The police indicated that at least 1,300 community members helped in the search for the missing boy, who was nonverbal and partially deaf.
People came to help even from Birmingham and Hampshire.
The area near the mouth of the Stour River, close to the Essex border, was combed by helicopters, canine units, and local residents.
Volunteers’ efforts were coordinated from the Brantham leisure center and village hall, where there was a shortage of high-visibility vests due to the large number of willing helpers.
Search participants were told that Noah would not respond to shouts, BBC notes.
Michael Crowley, who was working opposite the playground on Tuesday and was one of the last people to see Noah before his disappearance, said: “He looked happy and completely healthy.”
Everyone was concerned
Jessica Gammons, a mother of two from Kelvedon, Essex, was among many volunteers who went out to search for the little boy, BBC reports.
She said she felt a duty to help with the search, even though she is in the late stages of pregnancy, because her son, like Noah, is three years old.
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“I kept thinking: if it were my son, I would want everyone who can to help,” she said. “It’s an incredibly sad situation. I can’t stop thinking about him.”
On Wednesday, the search was expanded to include East Bergholt and Manningtree on the other side of the Essex border.
Pond near the playground
Divers from the London Metropolitan Police were called to Dekoi Pond – a nearby fishing pond.
This pond is about 320 meters from the playground where Noah was last seen.
The police chief added that since the report of Noah’s disappearance, a very large number of police officers and staff have been involved in the search and assisting his family.
According to him, the police were assisted by the Suffolk hazardous areas response team, Suffolk lowland search and rescue service, the Environment Agency, coastguard, fire and rescue service, and ambulance service.
“As a father, I completely understand why people wanted to help. Such a response shows strong community spirit and the warm nature of the people of Suffolk, which makes this county a special place,” he said.
“I am sure you understand that the family now needs time, space, and privacy, so I thank you for your understanding,” said the police chief.
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