Three Children Found Dead in Vermont River

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=793704

Three Children Found Dead in Vermont River

Two Brothers and Their Friend, Ages 11-13, Found Dead in Vermont River, a Day After Going Missing

The Associated Press

May. 26, 2005 - Two young brothers and a friend who were reported missing were found dead in a frigid river, authorities said Thursday after recovering their bodies from the water. Justin Nutbrown, 13, Joshua Nutbrown, 11, and Allison Hansen, also 11, were last seen Wednesday afternoon heading into the woods to play. Police were called around 9 p.m. and a search began around 11 p.m.

The bodies were found Thursday morning in Jail Branch River near where the two boys and the girl were last seen, authorities said. A steep bank runs from the site into the fast-moving river. "I am fairly confident in saying it is my belief that this is a tragic accident," police Chief Trevor Whipple said. "Information we have seen at the scene indicates they were playing around, perhaps in the brook. The brook is lined with very slippery rocks."

The investigation is continuing, but police believe the children were attempting to cross the stream when they lost their footing. "I am led to believe this probably happened at the same time," Whipple said.

Autopsies were planned. Allison was staying at the home of the brothers, but she was not a relative, authorities said. Allison was a fourth-grader, Joshua a fifth-grader and Justin a seventh-grader. Counselors were called in to help the schoolchildren cope. "The fourth-grader's class was extremely upset," school Superintendent Dorothy Anderson said.


Police Chief Trevor Whipple hangs his head during a news conference about the death of three children in Barre, Vt., Thursday, May 26, 2005. Two young brothers and a friend who were reported missing were found dead in a frigid river, authorities said Thursday after recovering their bodies from the water. Brothers Justin Nutbrown, who was 13, and Joshua Nutbrown, 11, and Allison Hansen, 11, were last seen yesterday afternoon heading into the woods to play. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

at 8AM this morning and received a lot of compassionate replies (2) ..:sarcasm:..and they were "playing war" as they had been all week!!