The Surete du Quebec is spearheading a search for a boy missing in Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, halfway between Drummondville and Victoriaville.
Four-year-old Nicolas Pineault was last seen Wednesday afternoon in the backyard of his family's home.
Volunteers and police officers scoured the brush near his home throughout the night, and did their best to examine the nearby Nicolet River in the dark.
A helicopter flew over the area, and tracking dogs were also called upon to search for the child.
Boy lives near river
Nicolas lives on a small island called Ile Lemieux, and his home is just 50 metres from the bank of the Nicolet River.
This morning the search continued, with 30 SQ officers walking along roads, inspecting the riverbank, and police divers searching the water, where the investigation has been focused.
"Every (possibility is) pretty much open for now, so we can't ignore anything. This is why there are ground searches. We've also got investigators going door to door and asking questions to other citizens, said SQ officer Louis-Philippe Ruel.
Army called in
Police have been joined by 30 soldiers, who were on an exercise in the area.
"My responsibility is to help the Surete du Quebec. They asked us to go into the woods, and they gave us an area of responsibility, so we're going to have go there and just watch and (look for) anything that can help them to find the little boy," said Lt. Jean-Francois Horth of the Royal 22nd Regiment.
An additional 60 volunteers were also on hand, such as local resident France Fournier.
"I don't know the family, I'm just helping because if I was in her place, I wouldn't feel good," she said.
The town's community centre has become a dispatch area for the search.
People are worried how long Nicolas can survive outdoors due to the cold temperatures in the evening.
Description
He was last seen wearing a blue coat with a yellow hood, green pants, a black tuque and yellow rubber boots.
He has brown hair and eyes.
Anyone with information about Nicolas is asked to contact the Surete du Quebec.
