Specialist divers scour lake & river in hunt for Noah, 3, as CCTV shows him in playground 20 minutes before vanishing
DIVERS are scouring a lake and river in the search for a non-verbal three-year-old boy who vanished from a playground yesterday.
Noah Woods, who is partially deaf, went missing at 3pm yesterday after running off from a park, sparking a huge search operation in Brantham, Suffolk.
Noah had been with his grandad at an under 5s play park in Merriam Close.
But the youngster – wearing a T-shirt adorned with cartoon character Bluey – is said to have run off down an alleyway next to the playground.
He headed towards a new build housing estate, near a large fishing lake known as Decoy Pond that has been cordoned off by police today.
CCTV released by cops shows Noah running around a swinging toy in the play park at 2.37pm.
Noah’s dad Rhys Woods said he “cannot go another night knowing he is out there alone” as he made an urgent appeal to the local community.
Rhys said: “[Noah] is only mildly autistic and has partial hearing loss, he is fully capable of everyday tasks.
“We still have nothing, all the emergency services and all of you have shown how strong this community is, with people coming from far and wide also.
“The emergency services are very confident that the high risk areas (Decoy pond, railway lines) are all clear.
“This means knowing our boy, he has gone even further, could I ask that all of you brilliant people out there today expand further if you are able to?
“I cannot go another night knowing he’s out there alone, please don’t give up on him guys.
“He is out there somewhere and I appreciate every single one of you.”
Dog units, police and HM Coastguard helicopters have since been deployed in the desperate hunt for the tot, Suffolk Police said.
Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue and a “vast number” of members of the public have also joined the search.
Cops are going door-to-door in their frantic search for the little boy.
Locals have been urged to check outbuildings, gardens and under furniture.
The local council cautioned anyone who sees Noah “not to draw attention” as to avoid crowds scaring him off.
The council leader said: “Remember you are looking for a frightened three-year-old.”
Decoy Pond has been cordoned off by police tape as locals were warned the area is “out of bounds”.
Firefighters were also seen looking under cars and over garden walls close to the playground yesterday.
Many were seen walking around the village and searching the banks of the nearby River Stour by torchlight.
A search and rescue helicopter joined the hunt and high speed trains were ordered to slow down to avoid the risk of the boy being hit.
Officers have been spotted near moored boats on the river and on the nearby railway line.
Nearby roads were busy with parked up cars, as groups of members of the public donning hi- vis jackets helped with search efforts.
A helicopter could also be seen hovering and circling overhead today.
Issuing an update overnight, Brantham Parish Council confirmed there had been no sightings of Noah.
The local authority wrote: “We have just received an update from Suffolk Police that so far there have been no sightings of Noah.
“The police are continuing their search through the night.
“They have asked us to let the public know that if you are asked to move by the police this will be to allow them to do specialist work so please be courteous.
“For all those still searching, the police would like to remind volunteers to take care, travel in pairs, wear high-vis and to keep away from dangerous sites.
“As a priority please check your own property; in gardens, sheds, under furniture etc. Further updates will follow as we have them.”
Residents with CCTV or doorbell cameras have been asked by cops to check footage from 3pm onwards for any possible sightings of Noah.
Anyone who drove through the village has also been asked to review dashcam footage.
Suffolk Police Superintendent Pete Partridge said the force were “incredibly grateful” for the support from locals.
He added: “We are very concerned for Noah’s welfare and need to find him as a matter of urgency.
“A vast number of resources have been deployed by ourselves, our emergency services colleagues and volunteers from SULSAR.
“These resources have been bolstered by members of the public who have turned out in large numbers to assist.
“It is important that any public searches are coordinated with police to ensure we are working together.
“We therefore ask that people do not put themselves at risk or undertake independent searches overnight.
“We will continue to keep Noah’s family and the public updated on the progress of our searches and investigation.
“We know that people want to help and so we are urging local residents to carefully read our requests to check their gardens and outbuildings and review any CCTV or dashcam footage as a priority.
“Anyone who believes they have seen Noah is asked to contact us immediately.”
Suffolk Police has urged anyone who sees Noah to call 999, quoting CAD 203 of 15 September.
