Boy Missing off Portsmouth Shore

Crews searched the waters in Blue Bell Cove in Portsmouth for a boy who went missing Friday evening.

Officials said the boy was reported missing at around 5:30 p.m. by his parents after they couldn’t locate him.

More than five hours later, crews remained out on the water but hopes had faded by nightfall and officials indicated that they were transitioning into a recovery mission.

The boy was swimming with family members in a fishing area, according to a Department of Environmental Management spokesperson.

Members of the Portsmouth Fire Department along with the U.S. Coast Guard deployed boats and a helicopter to assist in the search, which was soon joined by departments across the state.

Officials said the boy was in the water with his father and they walked into the water. The boy got into trouble in an area where the bottom of the cove has a steep drop-off. The father was unable to get to him.

Members of the Cranston police deep dive recovery team arrived at around 10 p.m. to aid in the search for the boy.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Photo Credit: ABC6