A 10-year-old boy drowned in the Passaic River on Wednesday while attempting to rescue his 11-year-old sister, who had fallen into the water. A third child, a 10-year-old girl, is still missing, authorities reported.
Passaic Mayor Hector Lora confirmed that the boy's body was recovered around 11 p.m. approximately 50 feet from Dundee Island Park. Lora stated that the boy pushed his sister toward the riverbank before he succumbed, enabling her to climb out. The sister is currently recovering from the incident.
An intensive search operation, involving New Jersey State Police, as well as police and fire departments from Bergen, Passaic, and Essex counties, was launched for the two 10-year-olds and the 11-year-old girl. Rescue boats and drones were deployed, but the search was hampered by high water levels in the Passaic River, attributed to recent thunderstorms.
Mayor Lora noted that the search for the missing 10-year-old girl has transitioned from a rescue to a recovery mission due to the time that has passed. "We are holding out hope. Our police and fire departments are doing everything they can to locate these children," Lora said.
The exact circumstances leading to the children entering the river remain unclear. However, Lora indicated that the river's water level was significantly higher than usual because of recent rainfall.
Efforts to locate the missing girl concluded around midnight Wednesday and resumed at 9 a.m. Thursday with divers and boats deployed. "We must stand strong together in support of the family because this is about the family, and right now all of our efforts, all of our resources, are concentrated on locating the little girl," the mayor added.
