FIVE ISLANDS - Three kayakers could do nothing but watch as a fourth member of their group was swept away to his death in the "treacherous," fast-moving waters of the Bass River.
"The missing individual got caught in an eddy and a flow, and got pulled under," said RCMP Sgt. Al Affleck, after the body of the kayaker had been recovered Thursday. "They couldn't grab the kayak, they lost sight of it and lost sight of him."
He said the 31-year-old man was a former Hants County resident who had been living in Ontario. Family members have asked that his identity not be released. Two of the other three individuals are believed to be from Halifax, while one is said to be from Truro.
After the kayaker disappeared, one of his friends continued downriver in his craft to seek help while the other two searched along the riverbanks before making their way back upstream to where they had left their vehicle.
Affleck said police received word of the missing kayaker at about 10 p.m., Wednesday but weather conditions did not permit a search effort to begin until early Thursday morning.
Between 30 and 40 volunteers from ground search and rescue teams in Colchester and Springhill, along with area ATV club members participated in the search.
Around 10 a.m., the kayaker was spotted from the air by police in an RCMP helicopter on a small patch of land near the mouth of the river.
The body has been taken to Halifax for an autopsy by a provincial medical examiner.
All four were experienced kayakers and police said the victim, described as being physically strong, was wearing a survival suit with waterproof gaskets and a dry suit underneath. He also was wearing a helmet, elbow pads and a life jacket.
Kayaker swept to his death by fast-moving waters
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Published on
April 24, 2009
- Published on January 4, 2010
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Harry Sullivan
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