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One boy rescued, 2d sought in Pennypack Creek

An 11-year-old boy was rescued Monday from the roiling waters of Pennypack Creek in Northeast Philadelphia, but his 13-year-old brother remained missing and was presumed lost, authorities said.

Philadelphia police marine unit officers inside Pennypack creek as they search for a missing youth. Philadelphia police marine unit search the Pennypack Creek in Pennypack Park in the northeast section of the city on Monday, July 1, 2013. Early Monday afternoon police and fire responded to reports of a young boy in the river.
Philadelphia police marine unit officers inside Pennypack creek as they search for a missing youth. Philadelphia police marine unit search the Pennypack Creek in Pennypack Park in the northeast section of the city on Monday, July 1, 2013. Early Monday afternoon police and fire responded to reports of a young boy in the river.Read moreALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

An 11-year-old boy was rescued Monday from the roiling waters of Pennypack Creek in Northeast Philadelphia, but his 13-year-old brother remained missing and was presumed lost, authorities said.

The emergency call came in at 1:52 p.m. for two boys falling into the creek about a half mile south of Woodward Street in Northeast Philadelphia.

Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said the boy was rescued by an off-duty police officer and Acting Battalion Chief George Bucher, who was the first firefighter on the scene.

Later in the afternoon, the search was declared a recovery operation and turned over to the police Marine Unit. The operation was later suspended for the day because of rough waters.

The younger brother was taken to an area hospital and was in stable condition, Ayers said.

"The creeks and river in the area are very dangerous right now," Ayers said, referring to the recent heavy rains that have soaked the region.

- Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman