ohio River Inner Tube Accident: 5-Year-Old Dies,Father Still Missing

A weekend inner tube outing turned tragic on an Ohio river, as a 5-year-old boy was found dead and the search continues for his father, according to local authorities.

Details of the Cuyahoga River Incident

Cuyahoga Falls city officials reported that emergency responders were dispatched to the Cuyahoga River near Gorge Metro Park around 7 p.m.on Saturday, June 21, following reports of a man and his son who submerged while using an inflatable inner tube close to Broad boulevard (news release).

The body of the child was recovered on sunday,June 22,according to updates released on Facebook by officials.

Did You Know? The Cuyahoga River is known for its history of pollution, but has undergone significant cleanup efforts in recent decades, leading to increased recreational use (EPA).

Recovery and Identification

The Akron Fire Department (AFD) reported that the boy’s body was found just before 9:30 a.m. local time and subsequently transported to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s office (SCMEO) (NBC affiliate WKYC). Gary Guenther, chief investigator with the SCMEO, identified the boy as 5-year-old Braxton cross.

Authorities have stated that the search for the boy’s father is still ongoing. “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this tragic time,” they said in a released statement.

Ongoing Search Efforts Hampered by High Water Levels

Search operations were scheduled to resume at 8 a.m. local time on Monday, June 23, according to city officials. Teams remain “fully committed to locating and recovering the missing individual.”

Cuyahoga Falls city officials have noted that river levels are “extremely high,” making access to several areas “difficult or impractical.”

These elevated water levels and strong currents are a result of recent heavy rainfall and “continue to pose significant challenges to the search,” officials added.

Pro Tip: Before engaging in water activities, always check local river conditions and heed any warnings about high water levels or strong currents.

Multi-Agency Collaboration

Multiple agencies are assisting with the search, including the AFD, Cuyahoga Falls Fire, the Summit County Water Rescue Team, Metro Parks Rangers, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The search efforts have included trained water rescue personnel, rescue boats, aerial drones, and a patrol helicopter equipped with infrared cameras.

Authorities are urging the public to avoid the Cuyahoga River and the surrounding Gorge Metro Park area due to the dangerous water conditions and to prevent disruption of the search operations.