13-Year-Old Maryland Boy Dies After Being Swept into Storm Drain While Playing amid 'Rapidly Rising Floodwaters'
- - 13-Year-Old Maryland Boy Dies After Being Swept into Storm Drain While Playing amid 'Rapidly Rising Floodwaters'
Michael NiedAugust 1, 2025 at 9:32 PM
WMAR-2 News
Police at the scene in Maryland
A boy in Maryland tragically died after being swept into a storm drain amid flash flooding in the Mount Airy area
Police said they were able to recover the individual but they "unfortunately, succumbed to injuries sustained during the event"
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, July 31
A Maryland boy has died after being pulled into a storm drain as heavy storms swept the state.
On Thursday, July 31, the Mount Airy Police Department confirmed that around 5:20 p.m. they responded to a call alongside the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company of "an individual" who had become "trapped in a storm drain, located at 201 W. Watersville, Apartments."
In a statement from Chief Michael Ginevra on Facebook, he noted that the tragedy occurred amid "rapidly rising floodwaters."
Ginevra said that the Mount Airy police department and fire company collaborated with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and "other emergency responders" who "worked tirelessly in an attempt to rescue the individual."
Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company
Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company firetruck
"Despite their heroic efforts, the operation transitioned from a rescue to a recovery," the statement read. "The individual was ultimately recovered from the storm drain but, unfortunately, succumbed to injuries sustained during the event."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," Ginerva added. "We ask the community to keep them in their hearts and to recognize the dedication of the first responders who answered the call without hesitation."
The Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company told 11 News that the victim was a young boy who "was with a group of kids playing during flash flooding."
According to reporting by the outlet, "a bystander found the boy's body, and he was pronounced dead at the scene."
Maggie McBain, a neighbor who was driving by, told the outlet that she "flew out of the car, jumped into the water and started yanking on him. We just couldn't get him out."
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Doug Alexander, the public information officer for the fire company, noted that "it rained really hard," saying, "The water came up very quickly."
Speaking to CBS' Baltimore affiliate WJZ, he said that the boy was "waist deep" in the waters when emergency responders arrived on the scene.
"The pipe is so small, and this is a child's body that fits in there, was pushed in there by the current," he explained. "The current was extremely strong, according to the guys who were on the scene here. I've been in this with the Mt. Airy Fire Department for 58 years, and this is, this is one of the worst situations I've seen."
Chadwick Colson, another neighbor, told WJZ that his house flooded amid the storm.
Describing the area where the storm drain was located, he said that water "really kind of comes through here, like a river" when it rains.
"You would think it would be some type of metal bars, metal grate, something blocking the hole," he said.
Colson also spoke with WBFF, saying that he saw the victim and another child playing shortly before the flooding began.
The victim's identity has not been revealed. Although he was initially identified as being 13 years old, Alexander told WBFF that the fire company might have been incorrect in the report, noting that an update might be made.
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WJZ reported that the tragedy occurred as flooding swept through parts of Maryland, bringing disaster in its wake with people needing to be rescued from trapped cars.
PEOPLE has contacted the Mount Airy Police Department and the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company for additional information.
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