The 10-year-old pushed his struggling sister toward rocks before he disappeared in the rain-swollen river, officials said.
PASSAIC, N.J. — A 10-year-old boy may have saved his older sister’s life before he drowned in the Passaic River, where emergency crews continued searching Friday for a second 10-year-old child who remained missing.
The boy, his 11-year-old sister and their 10-year-old friend entered the river Wednesday evening near a boat ramp in Pulaski Park, according to Passaic officials. The boy’s sister made it back to shore, but her brother and the other girl disappeared in water that was moving rapidly after heavy rain. Divers recovered the boy’s body later that night. Officials shifted the continuing search for the missing girl from a rescue effort to a recovery operation.
Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said the surviving girl described struggling with her brother as they tried to escape the current. The boy pushed or pressed against her as they went underwater, directing her toward rocks near the riverbank. She was able to climb out and return to the park, where she was reunited with her family.
Lora said the boy may not have realized that his actions helped his sister reach safety. Officials have not released his name or the names of the two girls. The mayor said the surviving child was recovering with her family after the ordeal.
The three children appear to have been playing near a boat ramp when they entered the river. Lora said the ramp can look longer when high water covers part of it, possibly hiding the point where it drops into deeper water. Officials had not determined exactly how the children fell or stepped into the river.
Children on the opposite bank saw the group in distress and called 911, officials said. A man nearby also entered the water and tried to reach them before emergency crews arrived. He turned back after the depth and force of the current made it impossible for him to continue safely.
More than two dozen marine units from several jurisdictions responded to the river. Crews used boats, divers, drones, helicopters and sonar equipment to search downstream. The boy’s body was found shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday, several hours after the first emergency calls were placed at about 6:20 p.m.
The missing girl was described by relatives as energetic and creative. Family members remained near the search area as crews followed the river’s current toward Rutherford. Authorities said changing tides, high water and poor visibility complicated the operation.
The Passaic River had risen after storms brought heavy rain to northern New Jersey. Officials in nearby Paterson said firefighters rescued about 20 people from rapidly rising floodwaters elsewhere in the area. Passaic Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost said the three children slipped into deeper water quickly because of the strong current and elevated river level.
Boat crews returned to the river early Friday after searches Thursday did not locate the missing girl. Officials said the recovery operation would continue as crews adjusted their positions to account for the current and changing river conditions.
Author note: Last updated July 31, 2026.