Coast Guard Suspends Search For Child In Stratford

STRATFORD, CT — The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday afternoon it has suspended its search for the body of a child who fell in the Housatonic River.

“We express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones,” the Coast Guard said, in an announcement on Facebook.

The Coast Guard said the decision came after “22 hours of continuous searching,” by the Coast Guard and first responders.

There will still be efforts to recover the child, including dive operations, officials said. Local police and fire officials will continue searching, according to Police Capt. Jerry Pinto.

Pinto said the 6-year-old boy had been walking on the Birdseye Boat Ramp around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday when he fell into the river.

A United Illuminating employee jumped into the river in an attempt to save the child, but was unsuccessful, police said.

Officials searched for the child Wednesday, then a Coast Guard cutter and the Stratford Fire Marine unit searched for the child overnight without success.

The Stratford Fire Department Thursday morning reassembled a Command Post at the Birdseye Boat Ramp to continue the search efforts.

Police said the water is murky, with a strong current, which has made the search efforts challenging.

Several police agencies have participated in the search for the child, including personnel from Stratford, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Westport, Shelton, Trumbull, Guilford, Monroe, the Connecticut State Police and Coast Guard.

Officials have used boats, jet skis, drones, dive teams and a helicopter in their search efforts.

Read more:
6-Year-Old Child Fell Into River, Search Continues, Stratford Police Say