Photo: KATU
11-year-old Nehemiah Wilson was with his family Friday afternoon on the beach at Wallace Marine Park in Salem when the boy went into the Willamette River.
Witnesses say he started struggling in the current. People went to help him, but he slipped under the water.
The Salem Fire Department arrived within two minutes and starting searching from shore. They had their boat in the water in six minutes.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office also launched their Marine Enforcement boat and personal watercraft. As officers and firefighters continued looking for the child, the Linn County Sheriff's Office Dive and Rescue Team was activated to assist, and the Benton County Sheriff's Office also sent two aircraft to assist in the search.
The search for the child continued until dark and was suspended for the safety of the search personnel. The search will resume Saturday by the Polk County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue/Marine Patrol.