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Body of boy who fell into Merrimack River has been recovered, police say
AMESBURY, Mass. (AP) — Searchers on Sunday recovered the body of a 6-year-old boy who fell into the fast-moving Merrimack River and was swept away. The boy’s mother drowned while trying to save him.
The Amesbury Police Department first posted the news on social media and said “we pray this gives the family some closure.”
Divers had been searching since Thursday evening, when a family outing on Deer Island turned into a tragedy.
Police said the boy, Mas DeChhat, reached for a stick and fell into the river. His 7-year-old sister tried to grab him and fell in, as well. They were joined in the water by their mother.
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The girl survived but the mother was pronounced dead at a hospital after they were pulled from the water by a fishing boat operator. The father, who also jumped in, was treated for hypothermia.
Divers, boats and helicopters had been searching for the boy, but it was a kayaker who found the body on Sunday in the river, officials said.
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