Noah Woods search volunteers break down in tears as cop’s voice cracks after physique discovered
Many of the hundreds of volunteers searching for missing three-year-old Noah Woods have wept at the heartbreaking news that a body has been found in local pond in Brantham
Hundreds of people searching for missing three-year-old Noah Woods have been seen breaking down in tears after an emotional police officer addressed the crowds with a tragic update.
Volunteers gathered in a garden area at Brantham Leisure Centre as they were brought to tears after Superintendent Tom Pearse confirmed a body was found in the search for the toddler. His own voice cracked as he praised those gathered for helping in the search for the little boy this afternoon (September 16).
He told them: “You will have heard the news. First and foremost our thoughts are with Noah’s family and all those who knew him.”
Noah’s family have been informed (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)
He said that the agencies involved in the search, and Noah’s family, “have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support, people putting on their boots and helping us with the search and that, ladies and gentlemen, is yourselves”.
Noah who vanished after a visit to a village playground on Tuesday (September 15) as he who ran down an alleyway in Brantham, Suffolk.
Several hundred volunteers as well as teams from the police, fire, coastguard and search and rescue had joined the desperate hunt for the toddler.
Volunteers who have been searching for Noah Woods broke down in tears at the tragic update (Image: Phil Harris)
Superintendent Tom Pearse from Suffolk police said that the body of a child had been discovered in a nearby pond and that Noah’s family had been told.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with Noah’s family and all those who knew him,” he told journalists at Brantham Leisure Centre.
Noah’s body was recovered from Decoy Pond, a fishing lake near to the play area in Merriam Close where he was last seen.
Superintendent Tom Pearse’s voice cracked with emotional as he spoke to the volunteers (Image: Phil Harris)
Specialist dive teams from the Metropolitan Police had been called in to help with the hunt for the little boy and were seen searching the water on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Pearse said: “We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support, people putting on their boots and helping us search.
“As a parent myself, I completely understand why people would want to help and such a response is one that typifies the strong sense of community and the heart-warming nature of Suffolk people that make the county such a special place.
Volunteers were praised for their efforts in the search by police(Image: Phil Harris)
“I am sure you appreciate the family now need time, space and privacy and I thank you for your understanding in this.”
Noah, who disappeared after becoming separated from a relative, was non-verbal and partially deaf and would not have responded to his name if called.
As well as a massive ground search, helicopters, sniffer dogs, thermal imaging were used to try and find Noah, as officers went door to door and scoured CCTV.
