Searchers recover body at Letchworth State Park

New York State Park Police on Sunday recovered the body of one of the two missing boys last seen in the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park on Saturday evening.

New York State Park Police received reports about 6:30 p.m. Saturday that seven people, part of an extended family from the Rochester area, went over the Lower Falls waterfall in the park, which spans 17 miles in Livingston and Wyoming counties.

First responders rescued five people from the river on Saturday, all of whom were injured and taken to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to park police. The quintet included two adult males and three juvenile females who suffered injuries that varied from serious to minor. Two other children, ages 6 and 9, were not located at the time and officials said they presumed the missing children had drowned.

Around 4 p.m. Sunday, State Park Police Maj. David Page announced that searchers had recovered the body of one of the missing children, although he would not say which one.

Page also declined to provide the names or other information about the victims.

Page said Sunday it appears the group left a designated trail and entered the water somewhere above the lower falls. He said that the group was playing in the water when someone slipped, causing a ripple effect that caused all of them to be carried over the falls.

"We've got beautiful state parks and there's so much to enjoy," Page said, "but we really need people to stay in authorized areas for their own safety."

Swimming in the river is prohibited throughout the park.

Rescuers from 13 agencies participated in the search operations.

State Police helicopters and the agency's underwater recovery team continued to search the area near Lower Falls Sunday afternoon, and Page said that the efforts would continue until there was a successful outcome. Wyoming County sheriff's deputies also assisted, along with rescue crews from Nunda, Castile, Silver Springs and Livingston County.

Trails in and around Letchworth's Lower Falls are closed while the search continues.

State Park Police officials said that there were several witnesses and concerned citizens at the scene of the accident on Saturday evening that were not identified.  They're asking anyone who was present to contact them by calling (585) 658-4692 to assist the investigation.

SLAHMAN@Gannett.com

VFREILE@Gannett.com