Crime & Safety
Coast Guard Suspends Search For 3 Children In Mississippi River
The children were last seen on the west bank of the Mississippi River in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans on Saturday night.
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Sunday night for three children who were swept away in the Mississippi River on Saturday night, according to a WDSU New Orleans report.
Ally Wilson, 8, Brandy Wilson, 14, and a 15-year-old friend were last seen playing on the west bank of the river in New Orleans' Algiers neighborhood. One of the girls fell in the water, and the other two attempted to help, according to the report.
Coast Guard Sector Commander Capt. Kelly Denning offered her condolences to the families, but announced the suspension of the search in a statement to the television station.
Find out what's happening in New Orleansfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Search and rescue personnel searched more than 93 miles along the river with MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, Coast Guard boats and police from Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and St. Charles parishes.
Family members spent Sunday near a Coast Guard staging area while awaiting news from search and rescue officials, according to the report.
Find out what's happening in New Orleansfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.