A rising teenage football player has been named among the victims killed as catastrophic flooding swept through Indiana.
The body of 18-year-old Matthew Morey was recovered Saturday from the Mississinewa River, according to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, days after he had been reported missing.
Authorities said the search began after Morey and several others jumped into the water near Muncie on Wednesday.
Officials have not said what prompted the group to enter the river. Sheriff’s deputies were able to rescue three people, but Morey could not be found at the time.
As floodwaters intensified and conditions became increasingly dangerous, crews suspended the search on Thursday during what officials described as “once in a lifetime” flooding.
Before his body was recovered, Morey’s mother, Angie Morey, had been desperately trying to find her son.
“I’m hurt and I need some help, and so we’re not there and I can’t get there,” Angie told NBC News through tears on Friday.
“I can’t get to him because there’s no — I can’t get in a boat. If I had a boat, I swear to God I’d be in that water,” she said, adding that residents had been warned the current was too powerful for boats to safely enter.
Matthew Morey (pictured with his mother), 18, has been identified as one of the victims who died in the terrifying flood in Indiana
At least six people, including Morey, lost their lives in the surging flood, and countless more have lost their homes as of Sunday morning
Angie sadly continued: ‘And my hope is that he’s still alive.’
Morey recently graduated from high school and was set to attend Perdue University, NBC News affiliate KYMA reported.
At least six people, including Morey, lost their lives in the surging flood, and countless more have lost their homes as of Sunday morning.
A four-year-old boy, 58-year-old woman, and two other females died in the flood, authorities said. Their identities are unknown at this time.
At least 70 people had been rescued on Saturday, Indianapolis Fire Department spokesperson Rita Reith said.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett declared a national emergency on Friday after days of heavy rainfall caused creeks and streams across the state to swell.
President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for Indiana, and federal disaster assistance is available to the state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said.
Hogsett said the city was dealing with its most severe flooding in more than 30 years and conditions were shifting rapidly.
Jacob Spence, director of Marion County Emergency Management, called it a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ flood.
Morey recently graduated from high school and was set to attend Perdue University
‘This is an unprecedented event, and unfortunately we’re setting some new records,’ he told The Associated Press.
The National Weather Service reported that more than 11 inches of rain fell over a two-day period in some areas.
A Meal Train fundraiser has since been launched for the Morey family.
They have requested that people make monetary donations or send gift cards instead of meals, the page read.
As of Sunday morning, more than $15,000 had been raised for the grieving family.
Locals came out for a massive candlelight vigil in honor of the teen. His heartbroken family was seen standing in the front row.
A Meal Train fundraiser has since been launched for the Morey family (pictured)
Breaking news… updates to follow.
