A 6-year-old boy is missing and his mother dead when a family fishing trip on the Merrimack River took a tragic turn late Thursday afternoon.

A family of six — two adults and four children — was fishing on  Deer Island in Newburyport under the Chain Bridge when two of the children went into the river, according to Newburyport City Marshal Mark Murray and Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire. Their mother who went into the water after them and was able to get her 7-year-old daughter onto a fishing vessel that offered help, but could not get herself on board.

First responders found the mother, who did not respond to CPR. She was brought to Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport where she was pronounced dead.

Search for a Brother

A massive search was launched for a six-year-old boy involving the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing and Dive Team, the U.S. Coast Guard, Massachusetts Environmental Police, and number of Seacoast fire companies

As of Friday morning at 5 a.m., the boy remains missing. He is the only member of the family not accounted for, according to police.

The name of the family was not disclosed by police, pending notification of their family.

This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH

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