Lucas Dobson, six, died after falling into the River Stour and being swept away
Hundreds of mourners turned out for the funeral of a six-year-old boy who died after falling into a river and being swept away on a family fishing trip.
Lucas Dobson, from Deal, Kent, went missing on Saturday August 17 after he fell from a jetty into the River Stour in Sandwich, Kent.
After an extensive search, his body was found four days later close to where he fell.
Today, his devastated family led mourners at his funeral at St George’s Church, in Deal.
Following his death, his mother Kirsty Furze had paid tribute to her son, saying he would ‘never, ever be forgotten’.
She and Lucas’s father Nathan Dobson later re-lived the moment that Lucas was swept away.
Speaking to ITV he said: ‘There was adults right next to him and he just disappeared and never come back up.
‘And it’s only since the tragedy you notice there’s only a few life rings, I haven’t noticed any signs to say how dangerous the undercurrents of the water is.
Hundreds of mourners turned out for his funeral this afternoon at St George’s Church in Deal, Kent
His racing car-themed coffin was carried into St George’s church in front of devastated family members and other mourners
After an extensive search, his body was found four days later close to where he fell. Above: Police and members of search and rescue teams who helped in the search for Lucas were at today’s funeral
Following his death, Ms Furze had paid tribute to her son, saying he would ‘never, ever be forgotten’. Above: Inside St George’s Church ahead of today’s service
‘I’ve seen children feeding ducks at the Quayside, a couple of feet away from the water.
‘One simple slip or trip could end in something like this and we don’t want anyone else to go through it.
‘You see how fast the water moves but you don’t realise how powerful it is.’
His father, Nathan Dobson, later re-lived the moment that Lucas was swept away, saying how he ‘disappeared into the water and never came back’
He and Kirsty Furze, Lucas’s mother, spoke of the tragedy which left them without their son
Lucas fell when, while on a family fishing trip in Deal with his friends and father, Lucas tried to step from a jetty onto the fishing boat but fell between the jetty and the boat.
He was then swept away by the strong current and three men, including his father, dived in to the water to try to save him but could not reach him.
Three men, including his father, had dived into the water to try to save the boy but couldn’t reach him.
Mother Kirsty (pictured above) shed a tear as she relived the horrific moment her son was swept away
Maciee Stanford, Lucas’s aunt told Kent Online: ‘He was with his Dad and his Dad’s friends along with other children.
‘The incident happened because our Lucas was on the jetty and tried to step from there onto the boat but he fell in between the jetty and the boat.
‘As soon as he fell, the three adults jumped in after but the current was too strong; he had already gone. In the short amount of time he could not be found.
‘The current was so strong the three men could barely swim in it.’
More than 200 volunteers were involved in the search for Lucas, with many coming from other parts of the country to help.
Lucas, pictured left with his mother Kirsty Furze, was swept away on a family fishing trip
Lucas was swept away by the strong current of the River Stour and was later found dead by rescuers
Along with officers from Kent Fire and Rescue and HM Coastguard they searched further along the River Stour and areas around it.
A body was then found by police on August 21 close to where Lucas had fallen in the water and Kent Police later confirmed it was of Lucas.
Writing on Facebook shortly after his death, Lucas’s mother wrote: ‘I’m Lucas’s mum and I just want to thank each and every one of you.
Lucas Dobson (pictured) went missing after he fell into the River Stour in Sandwich, Kent, while on a fishing trip with his family
‘I’m so thankful for donations and the food and being out all hours searching for my baby, and for the police & rescue and search team.
‘I can’t not believe how much my baby has touched all your hearts. He was such a beautiful boy.
‘Lucas is looking down on everyone saying thank you in his own way. Lucas will never ever ever be forgotten.
‘I’m so overwhelmed with the support I have and had and so is Lucas’s dad.
‘I really don’t know how else I could show my appreciation to you all.’
His cousin Chloee Martin told others to ‘cherish the good in life’ as she also paid tribute to the youngster.
She said: ‘Rest in peace little man, gone way to soon. Nanny will look after you. I love you much and I’ll cherish the memories forever.
‘Life is so important so is family. Cherish the good in life. You don’t know what’s round the corner. I little accident is all takes!
‘This world’s a cruel place it really is. But I’m so thankful for the thousands of support through the journey of finding my little cousin.
‘Took time but we can now say our goodbyes and lets him rest now.’
Shortly after his death, heartbroken mother Kirsty Furze paid tribute to the youngster in a post on Facebook
His cousin Chloee Martin told others to ‘cherish the good in life’ as she also paid tribute to the youngster