Rescue crews search for girl in Harnett County river

Spring Lake, N.C. — Dive teams, water rescuers and volunteers were searching Tuesday evening for a 6-year-old girl in the Little River, the Harnett County Sheriff's Office said.

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Young girl goes missing in Spring Lake

The girl, whose name was not released, went missing at about 4:30 p.m. near 229 Woodwind Drive in Spring Lake and off of Riverwind Drive. Another child walking with the missing girl pointed out to authorities were she may have fallen into the river.

A helicopter searched for the girl by air, and boats were used to look for her in the river. About 100 personnel from Harnett and Cumberland counties were helping with the search.

“Not knowing is the toughest part right now,” said Ervin McNeill, grandfather of missing girl.

The brush around the river and tough terrain made it difficult to get boats into the water quickly.

"The current is very strong in the river right now. There is a lot of debris as well, and we are concerned with it being night about being able to be safe," Sheriff Larry Rollins said.

The water is around 40 degrees and the darkness made searching difficult late Tuesday. Rescue workers plan to continue looking for the girl overnight and into the early morning.

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