COLUMBUS — Rescue teams have returned to the East Fork of the White River this morning to resume the search for an 11-year-old girl who disappeared in the water Wednesday evening. However, Indiana Conservation Officers confirmed that the mission has now transitioned from a rescue to a recovery effort.
The search is centered around Mill Race Park, which remains closed to the public as emergency crews utilize specialized equipment to locate the child.
The emergency began at approximately 6:39 p.m. yesterday. According to the Columbus Fire Department, the 11-year-old girl was with friends on a sandbar in the river. Witnesses reported that the girl waded too far out into the water and was suddenly caught in the river’s current, swept away before she could resurface.
Columbus Police were the first to arrive on the scene, followed quickly by the Bartholomew County Water Rescue Team, which launched three boats and deployed divers. The initial search lasted roughly four hours before being suspended at 11:30 p.m. due to darkness and safety concerns.
As of early this morning, the search has intensified with a massive multi-agency response. Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers have seven boats on the water.
Crews are utilizing a suite of advanced technology, including side-scan sonar mounted on boats, to map the river bottom, underwater drones to inspect areas difficult for divers to reach, and aerial drones for a wide-perspective surface search.
“We will continue to search throughout the day until she is located,” said Lt. Angela Goldman of the Indiana DNR.
The recovery effort involves a coordinated response from several local departments, including:
- Columbus Fire and Police Departments
- Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department
- Indiana Conservation Officers
- Columbus Township, Harrison Township, and Wayne Township Fire Departments
City officials have closed Mill Race Park to all pedestrian and vehicle traffic to allow rescue workers unobstructed access to the riverbanks and boat ramps. Residents are asked to avoid the area until further notice.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from the Indiana DNR.
