PASSAIC, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A 10-year-old boy is dead, and a 10-year-old girl is missing, after they were swept away by the Passaic River, which has swelled from recent rainstorms.
According to Passaic Mayor Hector Lora, the boy died as he saved his 11-year-old sister on Wednesday evening.
“As he was going under, he pushed her, and she ended up by the rocks, and she climbed out,” Lora said. “She is alive right now.”
The initial 911 calls came in around 6:30 p.m. about three kids in the Passaic River, near Pulaski Park and the bridge to Garfield.
The boy's body was found by the bridge connecting Passaic and Garfield.Glenn Schuck
While the sister was able to make it out of the river, the boy and his female friend, also 10, were swept away.
Lora said a good Samaritan attempted to save them, but the current was too strong.
“There was also a gentleman in the park who jumped into the water to heroically try to save them,” the mayor said. “He went in about five meters deep. And when it got too deep and the current was pushing him away, he could not reach them.”
The Passaic River has swelled from recent rainstorms.Glenn Schuck
First responders searched along the banks with flashlights overnight. The boy’s body was found near the bridge around 11 p.m. He has not been publicly identified.
Police from Passaic, Garfield and other communities were taking part in the ongoing search for the girl Thursday, with a steady, misty rain initially making the search more difficult.
Multiple boats and divers searched an expanded area of the river, using drones and sonar technology, Passaic Fire Department Chief Patrick Trentacost said in an email.
Trentacost referred to the search as a “recovery operation,” saying it will continue “as long as necessary.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
