Hampshire Toddler Dies After Falling in Pond.

The parents of a 3 year old have paid tribute to their "lovely, special" son.

Rodney Lawrence was found by officers in the pond at his parents' home in Kingsclere, North Hampshire, yesterday evening.

Officers were initially called to an address in Union Lane at 5.54pm to reports of a missing child.

It's thought there was a children's party at the house.

Paramedics and a doctor rushed to the scene to treat the youngster, who was taken to hospital in Basingstoke by air ambulance, where he was later pronounced dead.

A Hampshire police spokesman said:

"A post-mortem examination will take place tomorrow (Tuesday)

"At this stage the death is not being treated as suspicious and officers are investigating on behalf of the coroner. Once complete the case will be passed to the coroner.''

Rodney's parents, landscape gardener Jonathan Lawrence and mother Marie gave this statement on Tuesday morning:

“On the day of Sunday, May 9 we lost our son due to a tragic accident in the garden of our home.
 
“Rodney was our baby boy who will stay in our hearts forever. We would like to send out our sincere thank you to our family and friends for their support at this tragic time.

"The response team and the emergency services were outstanding in all their efforts to save our lovely special ‘sminktol’."