CASTILE, N.Y. — Authorities say a search will continue today for a 9-year-old boy presumed to have drowned when he and six family members were swept over a waterfall at a Western New York park known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.”
Seven family members were swimming in an unauthorized area when they were swept over a waterfall at Letchworth State Park.
Two men and three girls were rescued Saturday evening after going over the 70-foot-high Lower Falls on the Genesee River, 40 miles southwest of Rochester. Two boys, ages 6 and 9, went missing.
Police say the body of one of the boys, 6-year-old Preston Giangregorio, was found Sunday afternoon. The other boy, Dylan Giangregorio of Brockport, remains missing and is presumed to have drowned. The search resumed Monday morning.
The rescued individuals were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital with injuries varying from serious to minor, according to reports. Police did not release the names of the five who were rescued Saturday evening.
New York State Park Police were joined in the effort by New York State Police and Wyoming County Sheriff Department. New York State Police Helicopters and Underwater Recovery Team were also used to search for those who fell in.
State park police Maj. David Page says the family had left a designated trail and entered the river above the Lower Falls, the last of three falls in a scenic gorge with cliffs reaching 600 feet.
Swimming in the river is prohibited throughout the park.
The New York State Park Police and New York State Police are actively continuing to search the area. Areas near and around the lower falls at Letchworth State Park are currently closed.
This is an ongoing investigation and the names of the parties involved are not being released at this time.