Child Dies After Route 9 Crash In Cromwell: State Police

CROMWELL, CT — A child died following a crash on Route 9 in Cromwell on Monday evening. State police Troop H in Hartford responded to a report of a crash on Route 9 South in the area of Exit 25 at 5:20 p.m.

Troopers arrived and found one of the cars involved in the crash was unoccupied.

Police later determined that the woman driving the car had exited with a "young child" and went down an embankment near Route 9 North.

Police said it was unclear whether the woman and the child went down the embankment intentionally or inadvertently.

An extensive search was initiated to find the woman and child.

About two hours later, first responders found a woman, consistent in appearance with the description witnesses provided of the evading driver in the crash, walking along Route 9 North. She was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.

Shortly after that, first responders found an unresponsive child in a rocky area near the Connecticut River. Lifesaving measures were initiated, and the child was transported to an area hospital.

The child was pronounced dead at the hospital at 9:23 p.m.

The state Department of Children and Families was notified. The child's body was transferred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington for examination.

The identities of the child and the woman are not being released.

The Connecticut State Police's Central District Major Crime Squad responded and is handling the investigation.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for additional updates.