Search intensifies for missing girl in Passaic River

Search crews are back on the Passaic River Thursday looking for a missing 10-year-old girl after three children fell into the water Wednesday evening in Passaic, New Jersey. A 10-year-old boy was found dead around 10 p.m., while his 11-year-old sister escaped and their friend remains missing.

Key Takeaways

• Three children went into the Passaic River in Passaic on Wednesday evening; one got out, one was found dead, and one is still missing.
• The body of a 10-year-old boy was recovered late Wednesday; his 11-year-old sister survived, and their 10-year-old friend has not been found.
• Mayor Hector Lora said the boy may have pushed his sister toward rocks as he went under, helping her climb out.
• Officials now describe the effort as a recovery mission as crews continue searching Thursday.

What happened on the Passaic River?

Around 6:21 p.m. Wednesday, officials received reports of children going into the river near the off-ramp at Pulaski Park, according to ABC7 New York. NBC New York reported the incident at the Dundee Island Park boat launch.

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said three children were in the water. An 11-year-old girl got out safely and reunited with her parents. Two 10-year-olds—a boy and a girl—remained missing for hours.

In a late Wednesday update, Lora said the boy’s body was recovered around 10 p.m. NBC New York reported the discovery just before 11 p.m., about 50 feet from where he fell in. The 10-year-old girl, described as their friend, was still unaccounted for.

Why does the Passaic River search matter now?

Search crews returned to the Passaic River on Thursday morning as the missing girl’s family and community waited for answers. Lora said what began as a rescue has become a recovery mission based on how long she had been missing.

The mayor said the 11-year-old who escaped is the sister of the boy found dead, and she is worried about her brother and their friend. He also said the little boy may have saved his sister’s life.

“As he was going under, he pushed her and she ended up by the rocks, so she climbed out,” Lora said, according to local outlets. For more coverage across emerging stories and tech-driven reporting angles, see Future Tech & AI Wonders on BlasterPost.

Who is helping search the Passaic River?

Multiple agencies joined the operation. The Wallington Fire Department said its marine units were conducting a water search, per NBC New York. The Paterson Police Department noted the river remains high after Tuesday’s heavy rain, with flooding still affecting some low-lying areas.

Lora said a man in the park jumped into the water to try to save the children, but when he was about five meters deep, the current pushed him away and he could not reach them.

It was not immediately clear how the children got into the water. Officials have concentrated resources on locating the missing girl while supporting the grieving family. Read the latest from ABC7 New York for ongoing updates from the scene.