River tot, 2 found dead
Missing toddler is found in the water an hour after he goes missing but he cannot be saved
A BOY aged two was found dead in a river yesterday after going missing from his nearby home.
The toddler, who has not been named, was pulled from the River Ericht at Milton of Drimmie, near Blairgowrie, Perthshire, but could not be saved.
A major search involving fire and rescue workers and a police helicopter began at 11.15am. The boy was found in the river at 12.35pm.
A neighbour of the family said: “There’s only one field separating the house from the river so he could easily have walked down on his own.
“They’re a local family. He goes to a nursery down the
road. It’s so sad. Everyone is in shock.”
A relative, who identified himself as the boy’s uncle, arrived at the property but was too upset to comment.
Bunches of flowers were attached to the gate at the end of the dirt track leading down to the family home.
Police Scotland said: “We received a report of a two-year-old boy missing from a property in the Milton of Drimmie area.
“Officers launched a full search of the area, with assistance from the Police Scotland helicopter and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service personnel.
“Around 12.35pm, the child was located in the River Ericht, close to the property. He was removed from the water by fire personnel and treated by paramedics, who attended with the air ambulance.
“Tragically, the boy did not survive. His family are being supported by officers at this time.”
Further details about the boy were not released last night.
A cordon was set up around the area during the search.
Drivers were directed away while a water rescue unit and Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance joined in the desperate search.
Witnesses told how emergency services sped through Bridge of Cally towards the remote area where the boy disappeared.
But they were stood down soon after the news broke that his body had been discovered.
The loss of the toddler left people shocked.
Perth and Kinross provost Liz Grant said: “It will be absolutely devastating for the family and the community.
“It is a very small community. Bridge of Cally is a small village.
“The Ericht is fast. Rivers are all fast coming through that area, particularly at this time of year.”
Local MSP John Swinney said: “Heartbreaking news. My deepest sympathies to everyone involved.”