4-year-old boy who fell into river while flying kite dies

Poor little angel! All he wanted to do is play with his father on their oshagatsu holidays, RIP little boy down there in Gifu.

My heart goes out to the father. People, please be careful with your little ones, be it in a crosswalk at a busy intersection, playing near a river, or while in a crowded shopping mall.

Children have a different perception of danger than adults. May God Rest His Soul.

With all of the people in this world full of haterd yet this little boy with no haterd in him was taken in stead of one of them makes one question as to 'WHY HIM'.

This is truly a heart breaking story. My heart goes out to the family especially the father. The horror he felt at that time and the grief he is feeling now must be unbearable. RIP little boy.

Sad, RIP

Very sad, it only takes a split second sometimes for a child to hurt themselves. Those with kids will know that you really need to know where they are at all times. RIP little man

sad, that area has rushing water from google maps, I don't think much could be done even if many were there to help, rest in peace and a prayer for the dead.

It's hard to say, but if the kid was still alive when he came out of the water some CPR could have saved his life. Too many people don't know to do CPR and it's something everybody should know as well as basic first aid. It's not difficult to learn and you can learn it for free on YouTube. The life you save may be your kid's!

Poor little guy, and poor family. RIP.

Sad story. I saw a kid flying a little plastic kite just the other day, and it brought back fond memories.

I hope that dad doesn't feel responsible, or the wife doesn't blame him for the rest of his days.

Kids absolutely need constant supervision in potentially dangerous places. There are many dangerous places.

As for the CPR comment, enough is never enough. The more that know the better off we'll all be. But hypothermia may have been a major factor here.

So sad when a young one dies. The world will never know what assets he may have brought to the human race. The poor 3 yo brother will be looking for his big brother for weeks to come.

People have a misconception about CPR, you can blame this on movies and TV where patients are often saved by CPR. In reality, less than 2% of people are saved by CPR alone outside a hospital setting.

Very sad for the family

Too few details to either condemn or absolve the father with total confidence I say. But still....rushing water close enough to be gotten to by a four year old in the space of time the father took his eyes off him? I am incredulous there has been so little knee-jerk condemnation thus far. What happened here? When the other child was nabbed by a stranger at the mall, there was little hesitation. A river does not wander about looking for opportunities to grab kids you know? If I have to do anything with my little one in tow, and the car is near, the first thing I do is strap him in his child seat. Groceries, toys, anything, can sit on the ground and wait. You would not catch me packing up junk with my kid loose.

@funny car,

20/20 hindsight and all that, but well said about the river. The three year-old could have lost his Dad as well.

that is so sad!