By AP/KWMU
St. Louis – A 15-year-old boy drowned in the Meramec River Sunday during a family outing.
Isaiah Green was swimming at Castlewood State Park in St. Louis County.
The Missouri State Water Patrol says the boy began slipping on the silty bottom. When he tried to remove his water shoes, he went under.
Six divers and a search dog took 40 minutes to locate the boy.
Isaiah was from Brooklyn, New York. He was here visiting family.
Beirne says the river has a strong current, and an irregular bottom littered with trash and debris.
Authorities say the Meramec is NOT safe for swimming or diving.
Last summer five children drowned in the river during a church picnic.