A two-year-old boy was taken to Manchester Children’s Hospital in a critical condition being found face down in the Leeds Liverpool canal in Burnley yesterday afternoon.

Police said the boy was walking with his mother from the Colne Road area to another nearby address just after 5pm when he ran off along Pheasant Ford Green.

Police were alerted shortly after 5.30pm and an immediate search was launched.

A PCSO who spotted the boy floating face down in the canal at Pit Top Park around 20 minutes later pulled him from the water, called an ambulance and carried out CPR.

The boy was taken by air ambulance to the Royal Blackburn Hospital and later transferred to Manchester Children’s Hospital where he is said to be very poorly.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the boy either alone or with his mother to come forward.

The boy is Asian, has short dark hair and was wearing a grey t-shirt, black trousers and white shoes.

His mother, also Asian, is 25-years-old, of medium build, has long dark hair and was wearing dark traditional Asian clothing and a head scarf.   

DI Marie Haworth from Burnley Police said: “This is a tragic incident and we’re working hard to piece together exactly how this toddler has come to be in the water.

“Monday was a nice sunny day and between 5pm and 5.50pm I am confident there would have been many people in the area travelling home from work, feeding the ducks or walking their dogs.

“We are appealing for witnesses in the area at the time who may have seen the little boy on his own or with his mum.

“At this stage we are keeping an open mind about how this little boy has ended up in the canal and that is why I am appealing to anyone who has seen him to contact the police.  

“It is obviously an extremely difficult time for the family and we have specially trained officer there to support them.”