10-Year-Old Boy Dies After Saving His Sister in Passaic River; Search Continues for Missing Girl

A 10-year-old boy has died after being swept away by the Passaic River, while authorities continue searching for a 10-year-old girl who remains missing.

The tragedy unfolded Wednesday evening near the Dundee Island Park boat launch, where three children entered the water. An 11-year-old girl managed to make it out safely.

According to Passaic Mayor Hector Lora, the boy who died was the older girl’s brother, and the missing 10-year-old girl was a friend of the siblings.

Just before 11 p.m., rescue crews recovered the boy’s body about 50 feet from where he was last seen.

Mayor Lora said the boy may have saved his sister’s life in his final moments.

“As he was going under, he pushed her toward the rocks, allowing her to make it out of the water,” Lora said.

The mayor said the children’s mother is devastated and asked the community to keep the family in their thoughts during this heartbreaking time.

The search for the missing 10-year-old girl remains ongoing. However, Lora acknowledged that, because of the amount of time that has passed, the operation has shifted from a rescue mission to a recovery effort.

It remains unclear how the children ended up in the river.

Authorities say the Passaic River remains swollen with strong currents following heavy rain earlier this week, making search efforts especially difficult.

The investigation is ongoing, and more information is expected to be released as it becomes available.