By JULIE CUNNINGHAM and CHRIS COLLINS
(Conway, MA) — Emergency personnel are still working to ascertain the whereabouts of four people who were reported missing on a section of the Deerfield River in Conway.
State Police had been searching for the missing tubers for three hours before contacting Conway Fire, Northfield Dive and Rescue, and Deerfield and Charlemont fire crews for assistance at 1:40 Sunday morning after the four tubers who did not return home.
“With the time of day and low water conditions, it took over four hours for rescue personnel to search the river and its banks,” said Conway Fire officials wrote in a social media post bout the incident.
At one point, a lack of water caused boat crews to have to walk beside the boats, creating tiring and potentially dangerous conditions for rescuers. Conway Fire Chief Bob Baker said the status of the tubers is still undetermined at this point. Baker said Conway Fire officials are asking people who decide to go tubing to keep in close contact with loved ones to minimize worry and prevent the type of confusion necessitated this search.
”This would have avoided this whole expensive and dangerous search for many departments,” the department’s statement said.
.Anyone who may know the whereabouts or status of the missing tubers is asked to call either State Police or the Conway Fire Department.