Officials say 17-year-old Jamie Escobar had skipped school with some friends when he jumped into the river in West Reading on Wednesday afternoon.
Escobar's friends say the Reading High School junior couldn't swim but jumped into the river from a foot bridge anyway. Witnesses say he began yelling for help but was swept down the river and disappeared below the surface.
Four water rescue crews searched for hours before calling off their search around 9:30 p.m. The recovery operation will resume Thursday weather permitting.
Escobar's sister tells the Reading Eagle says their mother is in New York receiving treatment for a heart condition.
