A 10-year-old boy was found dead and a 10-year-old girl remains missing after three children entered the Passaic River at a New Jersey park on Wednesday, officials said.
Lora said the boy's 11-year-old sister managed to make it out of the river after her brother pushed her into the rocks along the bank, allowing her to climb out.
"She made it out by God's grace," the mayor said. "Her brother may have, without even realizing, saved her life."
Police were called to the area after the children entered the river and a massive search got underway, with the assistance of multiple agencies, including local firefighters, police, and the county sheriff's office. Drones and sonar equipment have also been used in the search.
"We will continue. Until we locate the body, we will continue our efforts," Lora told the outlet. "As a community, we’re joining together to pray for the family, of the child that has been recovered and is deceased, for the little girl that has not been recovered. We’re holding out with hope that she can be found, but right now, the family needs to know the support and the love of the community."
Authorities have not released the identities of any of the children or any details about what prompted them to go into the river. NTD reached out to the Passaic Police Department for more information, but a response was not received by publication time.
The Passaic River has seen elevated levels in recent days following intense storms. Authorities in the neighboring city of Paterson warned residents of rising waters after heavy rainfall swept through the area on Tuesday, causing flooding across parts of Passaic County and surrounding communities.