Rescuers are looking for a 14-year-old boy who disappeared in the Chicopee River behind the Front Street Library.
View full sizeAt the scene behind Ames Road on the banks of the Chicopee River, where a 14-year-old boy is missing Monday night in the Chicopee River. Emergency personnel from Chicopee police and fire along with the Massachusetts State Police look over the banks of the river.
Standing on the banks of the river, from left, are Emilio Santana, 19, Kevin Sanchez, 20, and Orlando Roseo, 23, all of Springfield.CHICOPEE – Chicopee and state police are searching a section of the Chicopee River for a 14-year-old boy who disappeared while swimming, state police said.
The search is concentrating on a section of the river behind the new Front Street Library, according to the state police office of media relations. The boy, whose name was not released by police, is presumed drowned.
The state police Air Wing helicopter is assisting with the search, he said.
As the search continued, people who live in the area said it is not uncommon to see people swimming in the river frequently especially on hot days.
One man at the scene, Orlando Rosario, 23, of Chicopee, said he and two of his friends jumped into the river one after another. The boy who is missing jumped in second, just before he did, and disappeared.
When he never resurfaced, those in the river initially searched for him before calling for help, he said.
"We were swimming and swimming and we couldn't see him," he said.
Rosario said he's know the boy for about two weeks and has come swimming with him at the river nearly ever day since.
Another man, Emilio Santana, 19, said he saw the boy slip into the water and then get caught under the waterfall in the river.
More information will be posted as it develops.
Republican reporter Jeanette Deforge contributed to this report.