Boy may have saved sister's life before being swept away by Passaic River, mayor says
PASSAIC, New Jersey -- A 10-year-old boy may have drowned while saving his 11-year-old sister after the children were swept into New Jersey's Passaic River, according to the city's mayor.
Divers recovered the boy's body shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday, while crews resumed their search Thursday morning for a 10-year-old girl who remains missing.
Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said the surviving girl told him her brother helped save her life as the children struggled in the water. According to the mayor, the boy pushed his sister toward rocks near the riverbank, allowing her to climb out safely.
Search crews returned to the river Thursday morning using boats and sonar equipment. The mayor said rising water levels have made the search for the missing girl more difficult. Initial searches overnight were unsuccessful.
Officials believe the three children were near a riverbank ramp when they entered the water. Children on the opposite side of the river saw what happened and immediately called 911, authorities said.
Lora said the family is enduring immense grief. He noted that the children's mother and siblings are also coping with the recent loss of the children's father. The family has expressed appreciation for the support they have received from the community, he said.
The mayor said community members have offered to assist with boats, but he urged residents to stay out of the water and allow trained divers and emergency crews to continue the search.
