A person has gone missing after being seen clinging to the side of a small skiff boat in the Merrimack River on Wednesday.

City Marshal Matthew Simons and Fire Chief Stephen H. Bradbury III report that the Newburyport Police and Fire Departments are actively searching for the missing person Wednesday.

At about 8 a.m., Newburyport Police and Fire responded to reports of a person in the Merrimack River. Witnesses told police that a person was seen clinging to the side of a small skiff boat in the river.

First responders found the boat drifting in the river but did not find the person.

Newburyport Police and Fire, Massachusetts State Police, the U.S. Coast Guard and other area mutual aid partners have responded and are helping search.

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