A mum has died and her six-year-old son is missing after she waded into a river to try and rescue him after he fell in.
A family-of-six’s fishing trip to the Merrimack River, in Massachusetts, turned to tragedy on Thursday with the unnamed mum confirmed dead and a search has not found her six-year-old son.
A major operation, involving multiple agencies including the US Coast Guard, looked for the youngster with the search turning into a recovery operation, and then was suspended at 5pm on Friday.
US authorities said that emergency crews covered 228 square miles for 69 miles in the search for the boy.
The unnamed family were fishing and swimming at Deer Island, which is a common recreational area between Amesbury and Newburyport.
The dad, aged 31, had headed back to pick up something from the car when the missing boy fell into the water and was swept away by the current, officials said.
Then the boy’s mum, aged 29, and a seven-year-old sister tried to help but they were also taken away by the swirl, said Massachusetts State Police.
At this point the dad, having got back from the car, went into the water and while he too struggled. and was unable to reach them, he did manage to get back to land.
A "Good Samaritan" on a boat in the water was able to drag the seven-year-old from the water but could not get the mother on board, and when she was finally rescued she was unresponsive.
Only the six-year-old boy was not accounted for and finally the search had to be called off.
“It is always a difficult decision to suspend a search and rescue case, and even more painful when children are involved,” said Capt. Kailie Benson, Coast Guard Sector Boston commander.
“Considering the extensive search efforts by the Coast Guard and the numerous state and local agencies, along with on scene conditions, I have made the decision to suspend the search for the missing six-year-old boy.
"Our prayers are with the boy and mother’s family and friends during this time.”
US Coast Guard stated : "The Coast Guard suspended its search Friday at 5 pm, for a missing six-year-old boy in Merrimack River pending new information.
"Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Boston received a call at approximately 7:15 pm Thursday, reporting six people, two adults and four children, had fallen in the water while fishing on Deer Island.
"Two people, an adult female and one child, were recovered by a Good Samaritan and transferred to emergency medical services for treatment and taken to Anna Jacques Hospital.
"Three people, an adult male and two children, were recovered by Amesbury Police Department and transferred to emergency medical services for treatment and taken to Seabrook Emergency Room.
"The adult female was recovered unresponsive and later declared deceased.
"The six-year-old boy is still missing at this time."
