Authorities in Passaic, New Jersey, recovered the body of a 10-year-old girl from the Passaic River on Friday evening after she had gone missing for two days. The discovery concludes a tense search following an accident that swept three children into the river near Pulaski Park.
What Happened
On Wednesday evening, three children playing near a boat ramp at Pulaski Park in Passaic were swept into the Passaic River. While an 11-year-old girl managed to escape the water unharmed, a 10-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl were swept away by the current. Passaic Mayor Hector Lora reported that the boy’s body was found late that same night, but the girl remained missing, prompting an extensive search operation over the following two days.
Search efforts resumed on Thursday and continued into Friday, employing boats, sonar, drones, and cadaver dogs to scour nearly nine miles of the river. Just before 7 p.m. Friday, a couple living near the Market Street Bridge in Wallington spotted something suspicious in the water. They promptly called 911, leading first responders to the body about 100 feet from the bridge. The girl’s family was brought to the site, where her mother was able to confirm the tragic discovery.
Key Facts
- The incident occurred near Pulaski Park, Passaic, New Jersey, beginning Wednesday evening.
- Three children were involved: two 10-year-olds (a boy and a girl) and an 11-year-old girl.
- The boy’s body was found late Wednesday night; the girl’s body was recovered Friday near the Market Street Bridge in Wallington.
- All three children are from Garfield, New Jersey; the two recovered bodies are from siblings.
- Search operations covered approximately nine miles of the Passaic River using multiple technologies and search methods.
- The names of the children have not been publicly released.
What This Means
This incident highlights the dangers inherent to recreational activities near waterways, particularly for young children. It underscores the importance of vigilance and safety measures in public parks adjacent to rivers, where currents can be unexpectedly strong. The community’s response—including the use of diverse search technology and the critical role of citizens in spotting the missing girl—demonstrates a collaborative approach to crisis events.
For residents and local authorities, this tragic event may prompt renewed discussions on enhancing safety infrastructure and public education around water hazards. Furthermore, the emotional toll on the families and community calls attention to the need for accessible support services after such incidents.
What Comes Next
Officials have not announced further investigations or specific safety measures following the recovery. The family has requested privacy, and no further names or details have been disclosed at this time.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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