New York State Park Police are leading the search for an 18-year old male who disappeared into the lower Niagara River on Wednesday morning.
Around 10 a.m., New York State Park Police responded to the Niagara Gorge in the area of the Vanderbilt Stairs, located north of Whirlpool State Park, for reports of a person in the water.
State Parks officials said the teen was standing on a rock fishing in a restricted area with five other people when he fell into the river. Witnesses said the teen was struggling to swim and stay afloat.
While in the water, witnesses at the scene said the teen went under and did not resurface.
A multi-agency, bi-national search is currently underway with State Park Police, New York State Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, Niagara Falls Fire Department, Canadian Park Police and the Niagara and Erie county aviation units.
This is a breaking news story, we’ll have more information as it becomes available.