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Lucas Dobson: People join together in Folkestone to Light up the Coast for Lucas
14:33, 20 August 2019
updated: 14:49, 20 August 2019
People joined together in Folkestone to show their support for Lucas Dobson, who went missing after falling into the River Stour on Saturday.
More than 40 people attended a candlelit vigil at Sunny Sands beach last night - three days after the six-year-old fell into the water in Sandwich during a family fishing trip.
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.
The event was co-ordinated by Marie Griggs, from the town, who lost her son Jace Simmons to meningitis nine years ago.
The mum said: "I set it up because I know what it feels like.
"It has really hit home for me.
"I know what it's like when your life is hanging in the balance. It's gut-wrenching. I wouldn't want anyone to go through that."
Juliette Felton also attended the vigil and 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 and Dover.
The vigil in Deal was led by Lucas's family members, including his mum Kirsty Furze, whose tear stained face was visible proof of the torment she's been through.
The family wore red, Lucas's favorite colour.
Lucas's aunt Maciee Stanford said she felt overwhelmed at the turn out.
Posting to 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, it really does.
"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 around 1.20pm after trying to step from the jetty on to 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 willing volunteers.
Businesses in the town also showed their support; Ossie's Fish and Chip Shop handed out free chips, St Mary's Art Centre offered tea, coffee and snacks, as well as use of their toilet facilities, and Discovery Park donated £200 towards food and drink all for the rescue party.
Today 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 are using equipment including sonar detectors, underwater cameras, divers, dogs and drones in order to locate Lucas.
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.
"This has ruled out several areas and therefore our attention turns exclusively to the river.
"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.
"However, we are now at a stage where the river is our sole focus, given the time that has passed since Lucas disappeared.
"I don’t think the dangers of the water have been lost on anybody since the weekend and as difficult as it is for us to ask, we are requesting people stay away from physically helping us search the river.
"This is for their own safety as well as that of emergency service workers in the area."
