NEWBURYPORT, MASS. (WHDH) - Rescue crews were dispatched to the Merrimack River in Newburyport Wednesday morning following reports of a person missing in the water, according to City Marshal Matthew Simons and Fire Chief Stephen H. Bradbury III.
The Coast Guard said they were notified just before 8 a.m. and arrived by 8:05 a.m.
“The person’s boat was tied up at the dock when it became loose and entered the water in attempts to recover it,” officials said. “A reporting source heard yelling for help and then the yelling stopped while the person was on the opposite side of the adrift boat. The Reporting party did not see person go under and/or resurface.”
Newburyport police and fire responded to the scene and well as drones and divers.
“According to witnesses, a person was seen clinging to the side of a small skiff boat in the river,” Newburyport police said. “First responders located the boat drifting in the river, and are searching for the occupant.”
“This is obviously, what appears to be a tragic accident at this point,” said Newbury Police Department City Marshal Matt Simons. “We’re just empathetic to the family and the community having to go through something like this for sure.”
Officials suspended the search for the night at approximately 3:40 p.m. on Wednesday.
Simons said a Coast Guard boat will continue to scour the area through the night, and crews will resume full search efforts Thursday morning.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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