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

STRATFORD, CT — Police said late Wednesday that at 1:30pm, a 6-year-old boy fell into the Housatonic River while walking on the Birdseye Boat Ramp.

"Despite the valiant efforts of a United Illuminating employee, who jumped into the river in (an) attempt to save the boy, the 6-year-old boy has not been found," police said.

Emergency responders from Stratford, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Westport, Shelton, Trumbull, Guilford, Monroe, Connecticut State Police and the Coast Guard all responded to the scene in attempt to save the boy.

Boats, jet skis, drones, dive teams and a helicopter were all deployed in an attempt to locate the boy.

During the overnight hours, a Coast Guard cutter and the Stratford Fire Marine unit will continue to search the area.

Thursday morning, the Stratford Fire Department will reassemble a Command Post at the Birdseye Boat Ramp to restart the search efforts, police said.

Original post: STRATFORD, CT — A massive search is underway for a child in the Housatonic River by a local boat launch.

Police Captain Jerry Pinto said Wednesday afternoon the police department is investigating the circumstances of a missing child at the Birdseye Boat Ramp located on the Housatonic River.

The Stratford Professional Firefighters IAFF 998 posted on its Facebook page that units are operating on Birdseye Street for a water rescue.

The Birdseye boat ramp is closed. People are being asked to avoid the area on land and on the water, firefighters said.

Keira Shantry, a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard, said it was notified of a child in the water near the boat launch around 1:30 p.m.

Dive teams, drones and the U.S. Coast Guard are participating in the search.

Check back for updates.