SHARE

Devastating outcome: Body of boy swept out to sea found

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot

The body of 12-year-old Chance Cosgrove of Rockland was found about a mile north of where he was last seen boogie-boarding last week in North Carolina, authorities said.


A woman walking along the beach saw the body at 7:40 a.m. and called police. Family members then made a positive identification, according to Currituck County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Randall Edwards.

It was breakfast time — a bright sky shining above — when Gregg Cosgrove and his son went boogie boarding lat Friday. But Hurricane Danny was causing serious trouble, including a vicious undertow, with some quick left-hook waves.

“Gregg and his son rode a small harmless wave towards shore,” said close friend Steve Goldman of Woodcliff Lake. “And when Gregg emerged, he could not find his son.”

The boogie board was up on shore, a few feet away, he said.

Chance Cosgrove

“For all of us, it’s the absolute horror we lose sleep thinking about,” Goldman said.

Major search and rescue began instantly: Helicopters, boats, the Coast Guard and local search and rescue teams were quickly on the scene.

The search was suspended at 9 p.m. Friday, after nearly 12 hours. Meaning no disrespect to anyone, Gregg, a vice-president at Unilever, called friends back north for help.

Friends leaped, getting through to some of the political powers in New York State — Sen. Morahan, Tom Kliener and Congressman Elliot Engles, who promised to reach out to the North Carolina governor and the US Coast Guard.

The Guard, in turn, began looking again Sunday night with a helicopter. More resources were expected today — then came this morning’s discovery.

to follow Daily Voice Pascack Valley and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE