Yellow Breeches Creek, Pennsylvania – The body of 10-year-old Matthew Coffroth Jr., a resident of Lancaster County, was tragically recovered on Wednesday morning after a five-day search effort. The young boy went missing on Saturday, August 10, while kayaking with his family in Yellow Breeches Creek, a popular waterway in Pennsylvania.
The group, consisting of four children and three adults, set off on their kayaking journey at around 5:00 p.m. that day. However, the trip quickly turned disastrous when the group encountered a significant amount of debris, including fallen trees and submerged rocks. Matthew Coffroth Jr. fell from his kayak and was swept away by the current. Despite the remaining seven kayakers safely making it back to shore, Matthew was not seen again.
The search for Matthew, which involved over 250 individuals from two states and seven counties, continued for days. On Tuesday, rescue personnel began focusing their efforts on a rubble pile in the creek. Their efforts paid off when, early Wednesday morning at 7:44 a.m., Matthew’s body was discovered nearly a mile from where he was last seen.
The York County Coroner’s Office confirmed the cause of death as accidental drowning, and no autopsy was requested. The Pennsylvania State Police, alongside the Fairview Township Police, have launched an investigation into the incident, with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission taking the lead.
The tragic news has deeply impacted the local community. Gabrielle Mediak expressed her sorrow on Facebook, stating, "After five days of searching, crews found 10-year-old Matthew Coffroth Jr.’s body in the creek yesterday morning." Other community members, such as Gary Brown and Michael Hegarty, shared their condolences, with Michael commenting, "So incredibly sad. Prayers for Matthew and for the family."
A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support the Coffroth family during this difficult time. As of now, the campaign has raised nearly $24,000, just shy of its $25,000 goal. The campaign description poignantly notes, "This is a gift that no family ever wants to receive, but easing the burden even in the slightest bit will go a long way."
The community continues to mourn the loss of a young life, and the Coffroth family remains in the thoughts and prayers of many.