Search for missing man continues, kayak recovered

Published 2:19 pm Monday, December 7, 2020

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The search for a missing kayaker continues Monday afternoon after his kayak was recovered from the Croatan Sound about nine miles southeast of the William B. Umstead Bridge (old Manns Harbor bridge).

According to Sgt. Johnathan Beardsley with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the kayaker went fishing near the Old Manns Harbor Bridge (William B. Umstead Bridge) on Saturday, December 5 at approximately 7 p.m. The man failed to return home and on Sunday his wife contacted Dare County 911, stating her husband had not come back from fishing and that his vehicle was found parked at the access area beside the bridge on the Manns Harbor side.

Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Command Center received a notification from Dare County emergency dispatcher at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Sunday after the man’s wife made a 911 report. The last contact with the missing man was at 10 p.m. Saturday, according to a press release from the Coast Guard.

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“Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet 24-foot Shallow Water Response Craft boat crew and a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City,” stated the Coast Guard’s release. “The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and Manns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department also completed searches Sunday night.”

The missing person is described as a 5’11” tall, 220lbs. white male, 26, wearing a burgundy sweatshirt and gray waders. His last known location was the west side of the old Manns Harbor Bridge, which he departed Saturday on the kayak recovered Monday.

Beardsley said the man’s kayak was found by commercial fishermen and was overturned. According to the Coast Guard, it was found near Roanoke Island at about 12:15 p.m. Monday and a member of the missing man’s family identified it as the kayak he had gone fishing in.

Those with information are asked to call Dare County Communications at 252-473-3444, NC Wildlife Communications at 800-662-7137 or to the Sector North Carolina Command Center at (910) 343-3880.

NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Dare County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Coast Guard crews from Station Oregon Inlet and Air Station Elizabeth City, NC Marine Patrol and Manns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department have been involved in the search.

UPDATE:

Missing kayaker: NC Wildlife and NC Marine Patrol to resume search Tuesday

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Missing kayaker reported in area of old Manns Harbor bridge