Kentish Express Ashford & District
Body found in search for Lucas, 6
People joined together in an emotional show of support for Lucas Dobson, who went missing after falling into the river while fishing on Saturday.
A body was found as we went to press yesterday (Wednesday) in the search for the six-year-old.
It had not been formally identified as Lucas but his family was informed.
About 40 people attended a candlelit vigil at Sunny Sands beach in Folkestone on Monday night.
Lucas’s disappearance sparked a huge search by emergency services, helped by hundreds of volunteers.
The youngster’s name was written in the sand by children while candles were lit by adults in a show of support for Lucas’s family, who are from Deal.
Juliette Felton, who attended the vigil, said: “It was very sad and emotional but as a resident it was lovely to see our town people gathering together to show support for little Lucas and his family.”
The community event, Light up the Coast for Lucas, was also held in other coastal towns on the same night, including Westgate, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Dover and Deal.
The vigil in Deal was led by Lucas’s family members, including his mother Kirsty Furze. The family wore red, Lucas’s favourite colour.
Lucas’s aunt Maciee Stanford said she felt overwhelmed at the turnout.
Writing on social media, she said: “I cannot begin to express how grateful we are for every single person out there that has turned up, shared likes, donated anything because it all helps.
“To see that many people supporting my family through this tough time really does make you realise how precious life is and how we must cherish every moment.”
Schoolboy Lucas fell into the water at Sandwich at about 1.20pm on Saturday after trying to step from the jetty onto a boat.
Three adults jumped in after him but the current was too strong and they were unable to find him.
In the days that followed, a large-scale search has taken place in the River Stour and surrounding areas by the emergency services and hundreds of volunteers.
As the search continued into its fourth day on Tuesday, police advised members of the public to halt their efforts to give the experts the “space to continue their specialist work at the river”.
Teams also used equipment including sonar detectors, underwater cameras, divers, dogs and drones.
Chf Insp Mark Weller said: “We have seen an incredible amount of support from volunteers within the local community and from further afield. As such, we have been able to search a wide space in such a short period of time.
“I speak on behalf of all the emergency services when I say thank you for the help we have received - the efforts and compassion of volunteers has been heart-warming and their value and help cannot be overstated.”
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