Search ends for missing child who fell in river in South Carolina, officials say
A three-day search for a missing child who fell into a river ended late Tuesday afternoon when the 5-year-old girl’s body was recovered, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said.
SCDNR and Colleton County divers found the child’s body in the Edisto River at about 5 p.m., officials said.
The Colleton County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the girl, or released a cause of death.
“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the 5-year-old girl,” SCDNR said on Twitter.
The child fell into the Edisto River Sunday, according to SCDNR. Witnesses said the child was playing in shallow water before being swept off by swift currents, SCDNR said.
A search began that afternoon in the area near S.C. 61 and Mars Old Field Landing in Colleton County, according to SCDNR.
Officers and dive teams continued to search for the child Monday and again Tuesday before making the recovery, SCDNR said.
Swift currents and low visibility were challenging conditions facing searchers from SCDNR as well as Colleton County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue.
Search efforts happened on land and by boat, and some of the boats were equipped with sonar, SCDNR said. The U.S. Coast Guard assisted in the search with thermal imaging equipment, according to SCDNR.
“We appreciate all those who have helped in the search,” SCDNR tweeted.
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