Massachusetts officials searching after mother dies saving 7-year-old daughter from drowning, 6-year-old son still missing

NEWBURYPORT — City Marshal Mark Murray and Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire report that the Newburyport Fire Department is currently conducting a water search alongside its mutual aid partners in the Merrimack River. The report initially came into Amesbury Fire but Newburyport Fire has assumed responsibility for the call at this time.

At approximately 7:09 p.m., Amesbury Fire received a report that six people, a mother and father and their four children, were believed to be fishing on Deer Island in Newburyport when two children allegedly entered the Merrimack River.

The mother then entered the water to retrieve the two children. A nearby fishing vessel approached and rendered assistance. The mother was able to bring a seven-year-old girl onto the boat but was not able to hoist herself up.

The mother went underwater and was not able to resurface. Rescuers located the mother and were able to bring her out of the water. The mother was unresponsive and not breathing. CPR was administered by rescuers on scene. She was then transported to Anna Jaques Hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.

The victim’s name is not being released pending notification of next of kin.

At this time, rescuers are actively searching for a missing six-year-old boy. The search operation is active and ongoing and involves mutual aid resources from throughout the region.

The boy is the only member of the family not accounted for.

Newburyport Fire and Police are receiving mutual aid assistance from Massachusetts State Police including its Air Wing and Dive Team, Massachusetts Environmental Police, United States Coast Guard, Massachusetts Department of Fire Servies, Cataldo Ambulance, Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District, Newbury Harbormaster and Amesbury Police. The Amesbury, Merrimac, Salisbury, Haverhill and East Kingston, New Hampshire fire departments are also providing mutual aid.

Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Essex District Attorney’s Office have also responded to the scene.