Two brothers were playing in the fast-moving water of Pennypack Creek today. One survived and the other is missing and feared dead.
According to authorities, the brothers, ages 13 and 11, were with a group of kids -- four kids -- who were playing in the creek near Winchester and the Roosevelt Boulevard. This was just before 2 p.m. The kids were jumping off a nearby footbridge into the water when the two brothers got swept by the powerful current, over a water fall before they could get safely to the banks of the creek.
Crews pulled the younger brother from the water and treated him at the scene.
A rescuer who did not want to be named because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about the incident, said that the boy was "in shock, but talking."
After two hours of searching, authorities said their efforts were considered to be recovery rather than rescue.
The creek is more dangerous than normal after the wettest June on record. This morning, in particular, there was a swift surge in the water level and the volume of water moving through the creek area after the heavy rain.
Instant readings on the U.S. Geological Survey's website show that in the area where the boys were playing, the creek's water level rose from just below three feet to four-and-a-half feet.
The flood stage for the creek near the rescue site is 7 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Two days ago, it crested at about 6-and-a-half feet.
Photo Credit: NBC10.com