Hundreds of neighbors who joined the frantic search for missing toddler Noah Woods were left devastated after the child’s body was pulled from a lake.
Flower tributes were laid outside a playground in the tiny Suffolk village of Brentham where the non-speaking and partially deaf three-year-old was last seen on Tuesday.
He is believed to have fled down a lane towards the bait pond where a dive team discovered the body on Wednesday afternoon.
More than 1,300 volunteers, some from as far away as Birmingham, stepped forward to help find Noah. Search efforts were coordinated from the Brantham Leisure Center and the village hall.
But local residents gathered at the center remained hugging each other and crying after hearing the news of the discovery of the body.
Georgia Terry, 30, a carer who rushed from Clacton in Essex after work to help, said: “It just makes your blood run cold. Also in the blink of an eye. It’s horrible.
A man in his 30s wiped his eyes and said, “It sounded bad from the beginning, but we had to come because there is always hope.” It seems that this is not the case now.
“I can’t imagine what Noah’s family is going through. This is the worst news. Worse.
Suffolk Police Superintendent Tom Pearce said that while the body had not yet been formally identified, Noah’s family had been informed.
Hundreds of members of the public have joined the search for three-year-old Noah Woods, who went missing after visiting a playground in Suffolk.
Flower tributes were left near the playground near where Noah disappeared.
He said the death was being treated as unexplained but not suspicious and that a file would be prepared for the coroner.
Superintendent Pierce’s voice wavered as he praised those gathered for their help in finding the little boy.
“We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support, with people putting on their boots and helping us in the search,” he told reporters at the Brantham Leisure Centre.
“As a parent, I completely understand why people want to help and this response typifies the strong sense of community and warm-hearted nature of Suffolk people that makes the county such a special place.”
On Wednesday police released CCTV images of Noah’s last known movements, showing him playing on a roundabout near his home just after 2.30pm on Tuesday.
On Wednesday morning, police cordoned off Decoy Pond – a popular fishing spot – and a nearby footpath while specialist divers searched the water.
Noah’s devastated father, Reece Woods, pleaded with the public to help, saying he “can’t go another night knowing he’s there alone” and urging people not to give up hope.
In a post on Facebook, Mr Woods said: “We still have nothing, all the emergency services and all of you have shown how strong this community is, with people coming from all over the world.
Police have released new CCTV images showing the latest location of Noah Woods.
Aerial photos show special police teams preparing to search a local lake on Wednesday.
Noah disappeared after being separated from a relative in Merriam Close, Brantham, on Tuesday afternoon.
“Emergency services are confident that all high-risk areas (bait pond, railway tracks) are clear.
“This means that knowing that our boy has gone even further, may I ask all of you brilliant people here today to expand further if you can?
“I can’t go another night knowing he’s there alone, please don’t give up on him guys. He’s out there somewhere and I appreciate each and every one of you.”
Noah’s great-uncle, Tony Malcolm, who was part of the search party, described him as a “lovely little child”.
Volunteers wearing hi-vis jackets could be seen on Wednesday helping to search the area, with efforts coordinated from the village administration and the local leisure centre.
At the village council, searchers were briefed by parish clerk Sarah Keys, who told them: “Please remember we are looking for a frightened three-year-old boy.”
They were told not to grab Noah or approach him if they found him, but instead call police immediately on 999 and report their exact location using the What3Words app.
Ms Keyes said about 500 people stayed up all night as they continued to search for Noah.
Search efforts were assisted today by helicopters from the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard, as well as ground forces from HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and Lowland Suffolk Search and Rescue, with the use of sniffer dogs.
The village hall remained open all night, and The council also printed hundreds of maps for volunteers to use in their search.
Ms Keyes said: “At one point there were about 1,000 people there. I think the locals just feel empty. Everyone just wants to come together and help.”