Missing 10-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in Pennsylvania Creek

A 10-year-old kayaker was found dead in Yellow Breeches Creek, Penn. on Wednesday, Aug. 14, perWGAL, ABC 27 and Penn Live.

Matthew Coffroth, Jr. was first reported missing on Saturday, Aug. 10, and found four days later. The York County Coroner’s Office ruled his death an accidental drowning, per the office’s news release.

The boy was kayaking with his friends and family — four children and three adults — in Yellow Breeches Creek. 

The group set sail around 5 p.m. Saturday with plans to kayak one mile. But minutes into their excursion, the group encountered heavy debris, mostly consisting of fallen trees and tree limbs, which caused Coffroth Jr. to fall out of the boat, per Penn Live. 

He fell into the water and never resurfaced. The remaining seven kayakers made it safely back to shore.

“Those hazards that are always present, that are below the surface of the water and that will enter the waterway, can’t be underestimated,” Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission spokesperson Mike Parker said, per ABC 27. “Trees can fall into the water of rocks that are present when the water levels are lower, are now submerged and are not visible.”

Although life jackets were present, it’s unknown whether the child was wearing one when he fell into the water.

“I was told that the family and the child had previously kayaked, that this was not the first time they had ever been out on the water,” Parker said, per WGAL.

After the incident, multiple fire and rescue agencies and more than 250 people across two states and seven counties helped with the search. 

Fairview Township emergency management coordinator Brandon Freistat said the child’s family was “extremely appreciative” of the public’s help, per WGAL.

“We’re so fortunate to have people in our community willing to do this, that are willing to go into the places that many of us would flee from out of the danger or the conditions they might have to be in the long hours,” Parker said, per WGAL.

Rescue crews searched the pile of debris beginning Tuesday, Aug. 13, and then made advancements that day when they utilized equipment to clear the debris.

Early Wednesday morning, at 7:44 a.m. Coffroth Jr. was found in a debris pile about a mile from where he was last seen, per the York County Coroner’s Office. Deputy Coroner Michele Kirchner arrived at the scene to investigate and certify the death. The office did not order an autopsy.

Fairview Township Police assisted the Pennsylvania State Police in starting the investigation. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will now investigate the incident. 

On Tuesday, a GoFundMe campaign was created to help support the Coffroth family. At the time of publication, the page raised over $24,000 of its $25,000 goal.

“This is a gift that no family ever wants to receive, but easing the burden even in the slightest bit will go a long way,” read the page description. “It is time we show our family that we love and support them more than anyone could imagine.”

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A representative for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information.