A 10-year-old New Jersey boy is being remembered for his final act of selfless courage after dying while helping save his older sister from the fast-moving Passaic River. Two days after the tragedy, authorities recovered the body of the children’s 10-year-old friend, bringing a heartbreaking search to an end and leaving two families grieving.

The three children—a 10-year-old boy, his 11-year-old sister, and their 10-year-old friend—entered the Passaic River near Pulaski Park in Passaic on Wednesday evening. Officials say the river had become especially dangerous after days of heavy rainfall caused water levels to rise and currents to strengthen.

Mayor Hector Lora said the boy kept trying to lift his sister above the water as the current pulled them downstream. In his final moments, he pushed her toward nearby rocks, giving her the chance to climb out of the river and reach safety.

“He put his hand on her head, trying to get up above the water, and he may have inadvertently saved her life without even knowing,” Lora said. The mayor added that the boy’s final act likely saved his sister’s life.

A man who was at the park immediately jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue the children, but the powerful current forced him back before he could reach them. Emergency crews arrived around 6:20 p.m., launching a large-scale rescue effort despite difficult conditions caused by the swift-moving water.

The boy’s body was recovered more than three hours later, about 50 feet from where he entered the river. His sister survived and was reunited with her parents. On Friday, divers recovered the body of the missing 10-year-old girl after a couple in a nearby building spotted something in the river and immediately called 911, Mayor Lora said.

The Passaic Fire Department led the search with assistance from boats, scuba teams, drones, sonar equipment, and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said high water levels, strong currents, and darkness made the search especially challenging.

The tragedy came on the same day neighboring Paterson officials warned residents that the Passaic River had reached dangerous levels following severe storms. Flooded roads and rapidly moving water created hazardous conditions throughout the region, with firefighters rescuing about 20 people trapped by rising floodwaters.

“This hits close to home,” nearby resident Lian Rodriguez said as rescue crews searched into the night.

Mayor Lora has continued asking the public to remember the families in prayer.

“I ask that you continue to pray for the families and to hold them up in your thoughts because they are in need of your support,” he said.

Officials have not released the names of the children. While the loss of two young lives has left the community mourning, the 10-year-old boy’s final act of selfless love likely saved his sister’s life. As the families begin the difficult journey of grieving, many are joining together in prayer that God will surround them with His comfort, peace, and strength in the days ahead.

Heavenly Father, we pray for the families who have lost these precious children. Draw near to them in their grief and surround them with Your love and comfort. We also pray for the surviving sister, asking that You heal her heart and give her strength in the days ahead. May Your peace sustain everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.