A missing five-year-old boy has been found dead after being pulled from a river in Wales.
The little boy was reported missing at around 5.45am on Saturday morning from his family home in Sarn, Bridgend.
Neighbours claimed they heard his mum desperately calling for her son, before screaming ‘the back door was open’.
Emergency workers and police divers rushed to the scene and found the little boy dead in the River Ogmore, near Pandy Park – less than a quarter of a mile away from his home.
He was rushed to Princess of Wales Hospital where his death was confirmed.
Police said they are keeping an ‘open mind’ over the circumstances around the tragedy, as they scour the playing field and paths leading from the family home to the river bank.
Chief Inspector Geraint White urged the public not to speculate about what happened on social media as the investigation is carried out.
He said: ‘This is a tragic incident in which a young child has sadly lost their life.
‘We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who has any information, to get in touch…
‘Our thoughts are with the family and we are supporting them in every way we can.’
Neighbours told how they awoke on Saturday morning to screams coming from outside the family home on the terraced row of flats.
One neighbour said: ‘I could hear the mum screaming for her son. She was shouting “the back door was open” and calling for him.
‘A short while later the old bill turned up and they’ve been here ever since.’
Other neighbours alongside Pandy Park said they were awoken by shouts coming from the downstairs property.
One woman said: ‘I could hear a row going off. I think the mother was on the phone to the police.’
Another woman said: ‘The police have been going door-to-door and asking questions and they’ve been looking in the park all day.’
CI White said ‘regular contact’ had been made with the boy’s family, who are currently being supported by specialist trained officers.
He added: ‘The local neighbourhood police team will continue to support and speak to residents in the area, and I encourage people to talk to them if they have any concerns.
‘We recognise there are a lot of people in the local community who would like answers about what happened to him.
‘We are keeping an open mind and are working hard to establish the full circumstances of his death so that we can provide answers to his family.
‘This is an extensive and sensitive investigation and many people have been affected by this death.
‘We would request that respect is extended to all those involved, and that people do not speculate about this incident on social media as this is an active investigation.’
Anyone with information is urged to contact South Wales Police.
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