Tragedy has struck Indiana as a promising young football talent has been confirmed as one of the unfortunate casualties of the catastrophic floods that recently swept through the state.
The lifeless body of Matthew Morey was discovered on Saturday in the waters of the Mississinewa River, following a report of his disappearance, according to statements from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities initiated a search for the 18-year-old after he and several companions plunged into the river near Muncie on Wednesday, officials disclosed.
The motive behind the group’s leap into the river remains a mystery. While deputies managed to rescue three individuals, Morey evaded their efforts and could not be found.
Confronted by perilous conditions, the search efforts were forced to cease on Thursday as the historic floodwaters continued to rage—a phenomenon described by many as a ‘once in a lifetime’ event.
Before he was found, his devastated mother, Angie Morey, searched tirelessly for her then-missing 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 as she cried 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 added, explaining that people were told the current was too strong to get in a boat.
Matthew Morey, 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 (pictured with his mother) 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 two-year-old girl named Alayna has been left fighting for her life in the hospital after she drowned when flood water took over her family’s basement, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser.
The toddler was at home with her mother, Becky, and her 13-year-old brother, Liem, when their home in Rush County flooded, her aunt shared.
Liem called 911 after finding his sister under water while their mother performed CPR on the little girl.
A two-year-old girl named Alayna has been left fighting for her life in the hospital after she drowned when flood water took over her family’s basement
A Meal Train fundraiser has since been launched for the Morey family (pictured)
Emergency responders couldn’t reach the home because the flood waters were too high, so a local farmer used his tractor to help them get to Alayna, the page read.
She was airlifted to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital and remains in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
Alayna has been placed on a ventilator, and as of Saturday, she had her ‘EEG monitor removed after showing no signs of seizure activity,’ her aunt shared in an update.
Sadly, the little girl has contracted a bacterial infection in her lungs and breathing trials have not been successful.
As of Sunday morning, more than $11,400 had been raised for her family.
Breaking news… updates to follow.