Body of missing teen swept away in river found in Florida

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BARTOW, Fla. (AP) – Polk County officials have found the body of an 18-year-old after he was swept away in a river.

Searchers found the body of Austin Welch Sunday in the Peace River.

On Saturday, Welch and his family were fishing. Officials say Welch’s 11-year-old sister lost her footing and fell in the water. Welch jumped in to help her, and their mother jumped in to help the children.

The mother grabbed Welch’s shirt but he was swept away. The mother and sister were able to grab some grass and pull themselves to shore.

Rescuers found Welch’s body near where he was last seen by his mother, not far away from where he went under.

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