By: Tracie Carter
A large-scale search operation is underway this evening after authorities received reports of a person in the water near the Jackson Street Bridge and Riverbank Park in Newark.
The incident was initially reported shortly after 5:30 p.m., prompting a large response from police, firefighters and emergency personnel to the area along the Passaic River.
As the evening progressed, additional resources were requested to assist with the search.
Dive teams from several communities, including Lyndhurst and Mahwah, were reportedly called to the scene, while a sonar-equipped boat from Wyckoff was also requested.
By approximately 8:20 p.m., the search had expanded significantly, with boats and multiple dive teams operating in the water.
Newark and Kearny emergency personnel were among the agencies involved, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and other mutual-aid units.
Authorities continued searching the river Wednesday night, and there was no immediate confirmation regarding the circumstances that led to the person entering the water or whether the individual had been located.
This remains a developing incident. RLS Media will provide additional information as it becomes available.