Passaic River Search
Search Continues for Missing Girl After Boy Dies in Passaic River Incident
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Key Points
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The surviving 11- or 12-year-old girl reached the riverbank about 100 feet south of where the children entered the water near Holy Rosary Parish, while the brother's body was recovered roughly 30 to 50 feet from the entry, indicating the rapid distances involved in the incident.
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Mutual aid was extensive, with responders from about 20 municipalities across Passaic, Bergen, and Essex counties providing marine units, drones, sonar, and other equipment; boat ramps in Passaic, Wallington, and Rutherford were used to widen the search area.
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The incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. when three children entered the water near Dundee Island Park boat launch, with the 11- to 12-year-old surviving after being pulled toward the riverbank.
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Recent rainfall had raised the Passaic River higher than normal, making the already dangerous conditions even more challenging for responders.
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A good Samaritan waded into chest-deep water in an attempt to reach the children but was unable to make contact in time.
A 10-year-old boy is dead and a 10-year-old girl remains missing after three children entered the Passaic River near Dundee Island Park boat launch around 6:15 p.m. on July 29, according to NorthJersey.com. Rescue teams worked through difficult conditions — high water and strong currents made worse by recent rainfall — before officials shifted the operation from a rescue to a recovery effort.
An 11- or 12-year-old girl survived after reaching the riverbank about 100 feet south of where the children entered the water. Her brother's body was recovered roughly 30 to 50 feet from that same entry point, NorthJersey.com reported. The missing girl has not been found.
Brother's Final Act Helped His Sister Survive
The surviving girl made it out of the river in a harrowing way. Her brother reportedly pushed her toward safety as he went under. That push sent her toward rocks near the bank, where she was able to climb out, according to NorthJersey.com.
A good Samaritan also tried to help. The bystander waded into chest-deep water in an attempt to reach the children. But the currents were too strong, and the person could not get to them in time, Daily Record reported.
River Conditions Made a Dangerous Situation Worse
Recent rainfall had pushed the Passaic River higher than normal. The current was fast and powerful. Responders described the water levels as a major obstacle throughout the operation, according to NorthJersey.com.
Officials have not yet confirmed exactly how the three children ended up in the water. Investigators are still working to piece together the full sequence of events that led to the incident near Pulaski Park and Holy Rosary Parish.
Twenty Municipalities Join the Massive Search Effort
About 20 municipalities sent help. Responders came from across Passaic, Bergen, and Essex counties. They brought marine units, drones, sonar equipment, and dive teams, according to NorthJersey.com. Boat ramps in Passaic, Wallington, and Rutherford were all used to widen the search area.
Despite all those resources, no sign of the missing 10-year-old girl was found. After hours with no contact, officials made the call to reclassify the mission. A recovery effort focuses on finding a person rather than saving them — a grim shift that reflects the low odds of survival after this much time in the water, NJ Herald reported.
Families and Community Left Grieving as Search Goes On
The families of both children are devastated. The community around Passaic is in mourning. Authorities said they are working to support those affected while the search for the missing girl continues, according to NorthJersey.com.
The surviving girl was taken to safety after climbing out of the river. She is the only one of the three children who made it out alive — at least so far. The search for her 10-year-old companion has not been called off.
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