Connecticut State Police

Vigil to Honor 10-Year-Old Swept into Branford River

A candlelight vigil will be held Sunday night for 10-year-old Ben Callahan of Branford, who died after being swept into a culvert by the Branford River Friday afternoon.

The boy was playing when he slipped from the embankment and fell into a pipe along the river while he was playing with his two brothers, Captain Geoff Morgan of the Branford Police Department said

His brothers tried to save him and one of them called 911, Morgan said.

Callahan’s body was found in the pipe around 4 p.m. on Friday. Police said the pipe goes underneath the water.

The vigil for Callahan will be on the Branford Town Green Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

Branford Public Schools confirmed Friday that Callahan was a student at one of its schools.

"Our collective hearts are broken and our thoughts and prayers are with the family. The school district is arranging for grief counselors to support children experiencing difficulties with the tragic passing of a classmate," the school district said.

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