12-year-old boy’s body found in Ohio river after search by divers, WV officials say
A 12-year-old boy’s body was found in the Ohio river by a dive search team, a fire chief in West Virginia said.
The child, who was not publicly identified, went missing on Saturday, Sept. 24 and first responders found articles of clothing in the river near a boat ramp when they responded to the call, according to The Associated Press.
The boy was believed to be swimming near the bank of the river, a fire department official told WSAZ.
Huntington units arrived on the scene shortly after 3:15 p.m. and were not able to see the boy in the water, Huntington Fire Chief Greg Fuller told McClatchy News.
“The only information that we have is that there was swimming going on in the area and that they were swimming and the individual was lost while swimming,” Fuller told WCHS.
Rescue units remained in search mode for 90 minutes and a diver found a body in the water during a search, Fuller told McClatchy News.The body was transported to the West Virginia State Medical Examiners Officer, Fuller said.
No foul play is suspected, Fuller told AP. According to Cabell County Schools, the boy was a student, the outlet reported.
“We’re just ever so sorry for the family. What a tragic situation. We encourage anyone around the water — people playing near the water, even if you feel that you’re an accomplished swimmer—to be cognizant of water safety,” Fuller told WCHS. “And please, please use a life jacket if you’re in areas where it’s necessary or our boating.”
Huntington is about 50 miles west of Charleston.
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