ROWAN COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) – A community gathered to pray on Monday night for a young boy who was swept into a storm drain on Sunday.
The vigil happened as dozens of rescuers and volunteers continued searching until there was no daylight left.
“This is the way our hometown works here. We come together as a community. We have a great love for each other,” said Mayor Jim Tom Trent.
Police in Rowan County say the 8-year-old boy fell into a storm drain and has not been seen since. It’s believed he was swept away by swift waters associated with the weekend storms.
The search for the missing boy started Sunday afternoon, and the ground being covering continues to expand, all in hopes of finding him.
The tributary he fell into is less than a mile long, but it feeds into Tripplett Creek–which is the area crews focused on much of Monday.
Drones, boats, cadaver dogs, and volunteers are all searching the area around the creek.
“These folks all have kids, and they’re wanting the best outcome that’s possible,” said Ronnie Day, Rowan County Emergency Management Director. “So everybody’s upbeat. some of these guys have been in bed for about an hour. Some of them haven’t even been to bed you know. And they’re still here going at it, and hopefully, we can put a closure to it.”
Day says this is a heartbreaking situation but says that the community has rallied behind them.
At a vigil in the Rowan County preschool parking lot, people showed up to pray for the missing boy and his family during this time.
“It’s been a while, the child has been lost a while. We’re holding our breath,” said Frank Goss, a school bus driver in Morehead. “There’s hope. We’re hoping and keep looking for hope.”
Mayor Trent urged people to lean on their faith and support the family of the missing boy.
“We’re not calling this a tragedy yet,” said Trent. “It’s still an unknown. Our god is a god of miracles, so we don’t know what’s going to happen yet.”
Incredible amount of love and support in Morehead tonight. All these people showed up to pray for the young boy who was swept away in swift waters yesterday @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/ULBPEjkaoa
— Conor McCue (@Conor_WLEX) September 10, 2018
If you would like to volunteer with the search, Morehead Police are asking individuals to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and boots with good ankle support. All volunteers are asked to meet at the Court House and get assignments by 8 a.m.
