Dozens of onlookers flocked to the Castlereagh River in Gilgandra yesterday afternoon as emergency crews searched for a child believed to be missing in the water.
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Emergency crews were working through the night searching for the girl, who is believed to be four years old.
They were called to the scene between 5pm and 5.30pm after the girl, who was believed to be swimming with a group of friends, went missing.
A number of police, ambulance and fire crews as well as workers from the State Emergency Service (SES) and Volunteer Rescue Squad were combing the river, which was flowing steadily as a result of recent rainfall.
At the time of going to print, the search was continuing and was set to continue through the night.
Police said the girl was with her parents on the river bank near Bridge Street in Gilgandra when she disappeared, about 5pm.
It was believed she fell into the water, an SES spokesman told AAP.
Police said the search would resume today.
The girl is described as being of Aboriginal appearance and was wearing a pink and white coloured top with camouflage-print shorts.
Orana Local Area Command investigations manager Detective Sergeant Mark Meredith said resources from Dubbo and Gilgandra were being utilised in the search.
“They are working to contain a search area of the Castlereagh River and prepare for further searching in the morning,” Det Sgt Meredith said.
“Extra resources were called in and lighting was taken to the site to allow the emergency crews to continue their search.”
