AMESBURY, MASS. (WHDH) - A massive search is underway along the Merrimack River for a missing 6-year-old boy, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Newburyport Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire said the family of six– a mother, father, and their four children– were likely fishing on Deer Island when the struggle began sometime around 7 p.m.
Two of the children allegedly entered the Merrimack River. The mother then entered the water to retrieve her children.
Five people were pulled from the water. Many neighbors joined the rescue efforts after a pair of fishermen pulled a 7-year-old girl out of the water and onto a nearby deck, according to the Coast Guard. The mother was unable to hoist herself aboard, and she went underwater. Rescuers eventually brought her out of the water. Once on the dock, neighbors said they began CPR on the woman but she did not make it. Her name is not yet being released.
“We used to be boaters, the river is really tough and you have to respect it,” one neighbor said.
The injuries suffered by the four other family members are said to be minor.
SKY7HD flew over the scene near the Chain Bridge as state and local authorities continued the search. Authorities said the bridge will be closed for quite some time.
No further details have been released.
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