New York

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing 17-Year-Old Boy Who Jumped in River to Save Sister

The Coast Guard says it has suspended its search for a 17-year-old boy who was swept away by the Connecticut River in Haddam Sunday when he jumped into the water to save his sister.

Authorities searched from the Haddam Meadows State Park south to the Haddam Swing Bridge for about five hours Sunday before stopping the search around 10:30 p.m.

The name of the missing boy, who is from Meriden, has not been released. 

Police said troopers responded to the Haddam Meadows boat launch a little after 5 p.m. after getting a report of the missing teenager.

Officials said the boy and another family member had jumped into the river to save the boy's 19-year-old sister and all three were swept away by the current. A boater picker up the sister and the other family member, but the 17-year-old could not be found.

The State Police Dive Team, along with the state police helicopter, Trooper One, EnCon Police, U.S. Coast Guard, Haddam Fire Department, and Middletown Fire Department and Dive Team spent hours looking for him.

People around the park Sunday said it was busy with people boating and cooling off in the water and regulars said the river can be tricky in the area.

“There's a very strong current on the outside of the sandbar, so you have to be very cautious when deciding to swim off the sandbar," said Amanda Katie Santos, of New York.

Contact Us