Nationwide — Derrick Saunders Jr., a 13-year-old African American boy from Louisville, Kentucky, was swept away by the Ohio River whereas swimming with household. Rescue crews discovered his physique two days later a few mile from the place he disappeared.
Saunders Jr. was along with his twin sister and two different relations close to the Greenwood Boat Ramp on Monday evening. They waded into the river to chill down when sturdy currents pulled them below. Whereas the others managed to get out safely, Derrick by no means resurfaced.
Search groups labored for greater than a day, utilizing boats and helicopters to scan the river. They seemed so far as 20 miles downstream close to Brandenburg. Lastly, after a few day and a half, crews recovered Derrick’s physique a few mile from the boat ramp.
The coroner dominated the dying an accident brought on by drowning.
Derrick’s mom, Lakesha Saunders, mentioned the household’s hope had light because the search went on. “After so many days, the hope began turning into ‘please don’t let this be months,’” she advised WLKY.
Police expressed sympathy for the household’s loss. “As a mum or dad and, after all, as a human being, I can’t think about the unimaginable emotional grief and loss that they’re feeling,” mentioned LMPD spokesperson John Bradley.
Saunders’ household had been planning for his future simply days earlier than. “We have been planning for highschool. He had a lot extra to do,” mentioned his mom.
