Huge search for non-verbal Noah, 3, who ran off from play area as dad says ‘I can’t go another night knowing he’s alone’
THE desperate dad of a missing non-verbal three-year-old boy has begged locals “not to give up” in the hunt for his son.
Noah, who is partially deaf, was last seen 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 playpark 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 toward a new build housing estate, which is located near a large fishing lake known as Decoy Pond.
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.
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Rhys said: “[Noah] is only mildly autistic and has partial hearing loss, he is fully capable of every day 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.
Firefighters were also seen looking under cars and over garden walls close to the playground while the coastguard were also deployed.
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.
Issuing an update overnight, Brantham Parish Council confirmed there had been no sightings of Noah.
The local authority urged residents to check gardens, sheds and “under furniture” in a desperate plea on social media.
It 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 was “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.
