The body of a 10-year-old girl was recovered from the Passaic River on Friday evening, ending a two-day search that began after she and two other children were swept into the water near a boat ramp in Passaic, New Jersey, officials confirmed.
The 11-year-old sister of a 10-year-old boy whose body was recovered Wednesday night survived after her brother pushed her toward rocks while attempting to escape the strong current. The boy did not survive. The third child, the missing 10-year-old girl, was found under the Market Street Bridge around 7 p.m. ET on Friday, according to Passaic Mayor Hector Lora.
Emergency crews—including boats, helicopters, divers, sonar equipment, and cadaver dogs—had searched nearly nine miles of the river since Wednesday evening, when the children entered the water near Pulaski Park. The focus of the operation shifted from rescue to recovery after the boy’s body was found.
Mayoral statements and search operations
Passaic Mayor Hector Lora announced the girl’s recovery late Friday, noting that cadaver dogs were deployed to assist in the search. The mayor also confirmed that the search area had expanded to Newark Bay as crews expanded their efforts.
Garfield Mayor Everett Garnto emphasized the dangers of the river, stating, “The water may look calm on the surface, but underneath the undertow is something that nobody sees, but it's very, very dangerous.” Garnto added that local and county agencies were pooling resources regardless of political affiliation to support the recovery effort.
Conditions and rescue attempts
Officials attributed the tragedy to heavy rainfall earlier in the week, which raised water levels and created strong currents. A nearby man attempted to rescue the children but was unable to reach them due to the swift current. The children had been playing near a boat ramp when they entered the water, with investigators suggesting they may have misjudged the drop-off.
The 11-year-old survivor remains with family, while the two deceased children were from Garfield, New Jersey. State Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen and Passaic, issued a statement offering condolences to the families, noting the recent loss of the survivor’s father. Sarlo praised the search teams, stating, “Their courage, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to serving others represent the very best of New Jersey public service.”