COLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) — Authorities say a 6-year-old boy is missing after being swept away in a southern Indiana river while playing on a sandbar with family members.

The search of the Flatrock River started Thursday afternoon. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says the child was at Mill Race Park in Columbus on Thursday when he ventured into deeper water. Family members tried unsuccessfully to rescue him.

Shore, water and air searches took place. Searches were suspended Thursday night due to darkness and resumed Friday.

Family members identified the boy as Brendan Sperry. Jim Humphrey told reporters that boy's family recently moved to Columbus from Leavenworth, Indiana. He says the boy's father had just deployed with the Indiana National Guard to Australia.

New: Search ends for the night for 6 year old Brendan Sperry. Search resumes at 7 a.m. @rtv6 pic.twitter.com/8Cl2coSXiP

— Rafael Sánchez (@RafaelOnTV) June 15, 2018