CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) — Search and rescue operations continue in Chester after a 6-year-old girl fell into Chester Creek, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Family members identified the child as Lynn Aja Brooker.
Officials told CBS News Philadelphia that they received a 911 call Saturday about a child falling into Chester Creek.
Initial police reports said the two girls were playing in the water when the 6-year-old slipped in the mud and fell into the stream.
The Chester Fire Department is currently conducting search and rescue operations in conjunction with the Delaware County Water Rescue Team. The Coast Guard has small boats and helicopters at the scene searching the area.
Delaware County emergency services destroyed a light tower to provide visibility for search crews. Chester Fire Chief John Paul Shirley said crews also launched a drone equipped with infrared and thermal imaging technology to assist in the nighttime search.
Flows are moving quickly after more than 2 inches of rain fell in Chester today.
“It's a very fast current. There's a lot of debris in the water, which poses a potential danger to responders, but they're trained to deal with those situations,” Shirley said.
Rinaja's aunt, Teisha Reynolds, said she is praying that she will be found alive.
“They were playing there and she went a little too far with the other kids and my 7-year-old daughter tried to hug her and she was clinging to my daughter's coat, And I think the wind probably took it away,” Reynolds said. “It's scary for me and I'm 40 years old. She's 6 years old. So I'm sure she's scared.”
Emergency crews were at the scene for several hours, but called off the search just after 10:30 p.m. Team members plan to return at 8 a.m. to continue searching for Lin-Aja.
At this time, only one child is reported missing.
