Share this @internewscast.com
Authorities persist in searching for Victoria Marin, who fell into the St. Johns River after a boat capsized using advanced technology.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The search continues for a 3-year-old girl who fell into the St. Johns River when a boat capsized Friday night.
Victoria Marin remains missing after the tragic incident that claimed the lives of her father, Cristian Marin, her grandmother and her brother.
The family is urging authorities and the community to persist in their efforts to bring the young girl home.
Multiple agencies have joined forces, employing advanced technology in their search efforts.
“We are doing everything we possibly can to bring an end to this,” Captain Eric Prosswimmer of the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department said.
Search teams are combing the water using side-scan sonar, focusing on areas with the highest probability of drift.
“They’re patrolling the waters, looking below the surface and looking for any indication that the person may be found,” Prosswimmer said.
Authorities are urging those to stay clear of search crews but say people can still search out on their own.
“I know the intentions are to help this family,” Prosswimmer said. “We’re trying to help this family. Everybody’s trying to help this family. They don’t realize that if we have to stop for every boat that pulls up to us asking us questions, then we can’t do our job.”
Family and friends are calling for community involvement as they just want more eyes on the water.
“It was just a message to the community, if they want to come out here and help us out, whatever resources they can give us,” German Larotta, a family friend, said.
As the search enters its fifth day, rescuers remain determined.
“That family deserves the resolve, and we deserve to give it to them,” Prosswimmer said. “I don’t think there’s any quit in us.”
The FWC is leading the ongoing investigation into the cause of the accident. None of the eight people aboard were reportedly wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.