Search for missing 15-year-old girl feared drowned in East River continues into second day.
A comprehensive search effort is underway for a missing 15-year-old girl who is feared to have drowned in New York City’s East River, particularly near the Roosevelt Island Bridge. The incident, which occurred on Friday afternoon, has prompted an extensive operation involving the New York Police Department (NYPD) and fire department officials, as authorities continue their search into a second day.
According to police reports, the teenager, who is believed to reside in the Upper East Side, was sitting on the rocks by the river when she fell into the water at approximately 12:15 PM. When she did not resurface, a friend with her swiftly contacted emergency services. Responding officers discovered a backpack nearby that is believed to belong to the girl, although she has not yet been publicly identified.
The search team, comprised of NYPD scuba divers, resumed efforts Saturday morning after a night of heavy rainfall. Officials indicated that the goal is to locate the girl’s body, as the chances of her survival diminish with the passage of time. The East River is known for its strong currents, which can pose considerable risks to individuals within the water. A police spokesperson noted that there have been no recoveries of bodies from the river in the previous 24 hours, heightening concerns for the teenager’s fate.
The currents of the East River have been highlighted as particularly dangerous, a sentiment echoed by city officials in light of recent events. The recent collision of a Mexican Navy ship with the Brooklyn Bridge underscored the undercurrents’ perilous nature, emphasizing that individuals who accidentally fall into the water can quickly be swept away to far-off locations.
Efforts to locate the missing girl are being closely monitored, with authorities urging those in the area to stay vigilant. As search operations continue, the community remains hopeful for a positive outcome, although the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident continue to unfold. The incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with waterways and the importance of adopting safety precautions when near such locations.
