10-year-old boy reported missing: According to WGAL, ABC 27, and Penn Live, a 10-year-old kayaker was discovered deceased in Yellow Breeches Creek, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, August 14.
Four days after being reported missing on Saturday, August 10, Matthew Coffroth, Jr. was located. In a news release, the York County Coroner’s Office declared that his death was the result of an unintentional drowning.
In Yellow Breeches Creek, the boy was kayaking with his friends and family, which consisted of three adults and four children.
Around five of the clock on Saturday, the party went out with the goal of kayaking a mile. However, shortly after setting out on their adventure, the group came across a lot of debris, primarily made up of downed trees and tree limbs, which resulted in Coffroth Jr. falling out of the boat, according to Penn Live.
He plunged into the ocean and was never seen again. The seven kayakers that were left returned to shore without incident.
According to Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission spokesman Mike Parker, “those hazards that are always present, that are below the surface of the water and that will enter the waterway, can not be underestimated,” ABC 27 said. “Trees can fall into the water of rocks that are submerged and not visible now that the water levels are lower.”
It is unclear if the child was wearing a life jacket when he fell into the water, even though they were available.
“I was told that the family and the child had previously kayaked, that this was not the first time they had ever been out on the water,” Parker told WGAL.
More than 250 people from two states and seven counties, together with other fire and rescue services, assisted with the search after the event.
The child’s family was “extremely appreciative” of the public’s assistance, according to Fairview Township emergency management coordinator Brandon Freistat, as reported by WGAL.
On Tuesday, August 13, rescue workers began searching the debris pile. Later that day, they made progress by using machinery to remove the debris.
According to the York County Coroner’s Office, Coffroth Jr. was discovered in a rubble pile early on Wednesday morning at 7:44 a.m., approximately one mile from his last known location. Michele Kirchner, a deputy coroner, showed out to the scene to look into and confirm the death. An autopsy was not requested by the office.
The Pennsylvania State Police received assistance from Fairview Township Police in initiating their investigation. The event will now be looked into by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
A GoFundMe effort was started on Tuesday to assist the Coffroth family. The page had raised more than $24,000 of its $25,000 target at the time of publication.
The page description said, “This is a gift that no family ever wants to receive, but easing the burden even in the slightest bit will go a long way.” “Now is the time to demonstrate to our family our unwavering love and support.”
When PEOPLE requested further information, a representative of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission did not immediately reply.
Also Read:
“I Prayed for This for Years”: Jana Duggar Marries Stephen Wissmann in an “Elegant” Arkansas Wedding
