Mother finds missing boy, four, dead in tumble dryer

The child was reported missing from the garden of his home in

Northcliffe Road, Ashbourne, shortly after 10.30am yesterday.

A police helicopter was scrambled to assist in the search before the boy was found dead just under an hour later by his "distraught" mother and a police officer.

Detectives would not say whether the dryer was switched on when the boy was found.

Officers remained at the house yesterday and a Home Office pathologist was also called.

A post-mortem examination on the boy was expected to be carried out last night.

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire Constabulary said no one had been arrested.

The spokeswoman added: "It's normal procedure to search the house to make sure whoever is missing isn't found there.

"They were searching outside with the force helicopter and they also searched inside the house and that's where they found him.

"He was found by his mother, who had a police officer with her at the time. She's distraught, as can be expected, and is receiving medical attention."

Specially trained police officers were last night supporting the family.

Det Insp Gary Cathcart said: "This is a tragic incident and our inquiry will continue into the circumstances surrounding the boy's death."