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The whole country felt his loss almost two years ago.
Lucas Ward was just four years old when he drowned
at Waimataa in Gisborne.
The family have yet to come to terms with the death.
These toys are kept in memory of their son Lucas.
In August 2010, Lucas went missing from his grandmother's home
and a search was conducted.
The boy's body was found nine days later in the Waimata River,
400 meters from where he disappeared.
After Lucas's accident,
questions were asked as to whether or not
his death could have been prevented if proper fencing
on the property was in place.
To this day, his grandparents are still devastated.
The grandfather was so devastated after the accident,
he took a chainsaw and cut down the jetty that was here.
Lucas's father Damon from Ngati Porou
took his son's body to Pokai Marae to be his last resting place.
Summer is here and Lucas's parents
encourage everyone to watch their children around water.
His death united his family and he'll never be forgotten.
Irena Smith, Te Karere.