Missing 10-year-old boy is found dead after plunging into creek during family kayaking outing
- Matthew Coffroth Jr went missing last Saturday and was found dead days later
A missing 10-year-old boy has been found dead days after falling into a creek during a kayaking trip with friends and family.
Matthew Coffroth Jr was reported missing last Saturday during the excursion on Yellow Breeches Creek, Pennsylvania.
He had set off with a group of four other children and three adults at around 5pm, with plans to kayak one mile.
But just minutes into paddling they encountered heavy debris, mainly fallen trees and branches, which swept Matthew out of his boat, according to Penn Live.
The boy failed to resurface and his body was found around a mile away four days later, with a coroner now ruling that he accidentally drowned.
Matthew Coffroth Jr was reported missing last Saturday during the excursion on Yellow Breeches Creek, Pennsylvania
After Matthew vanished, the seven other members of his group made it safely back to shore and a desperate search was launched.
First responders were sent to the scene in Fairview Township, with more than 250 people eventually joining the search party.
Tragically, Matthew's body was found on Wednesday roughly a mile away from where the group he was with saw him go under the water.
His death has been ruled as accidental drowning, according to York County Coroner's Office.
Matthew had been in the kayak by himself, and while some of the party had been wearing life jackets, it is unclear if he was.
He and his family are understood to have kayaked before last week's tragic incident.
Search teams had worked painstakingly to remove the debris from the creek where Matthew had gone missing in the hope of finding him.
In a warning to other kayakers, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission spokesperson Mike Parker told ABC 27 that such hazards are 'always present' in creeks and 'can't be underestimated'.
Parker also thanked volunteers for helping with the search operation, telling 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.'
Fairview Township emergency management coordinator Brandon Freistat added that Matthew's family were 'extremely appreciative' of the public's help.
On Tuesday, a GoFundMe campaign was created to help support the Coffroth family.
Matthew's father is said to be a health center worker who has 'dedicated his life to helping others during their most vulnerable and difficult times,' with the person behind the fundraiser urging people to 'repay the favor to this father, husband, and friend'.
At the time of publication, more than 400 people had donated and the page had raised more than $25,000 - exceeding its 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.'
