x
Breaking News
More () »

Authorities: Search for missing kayaker in York County now considered a recovery mission

The juvenile kayaker was last seen Saturday afternoon when he became separated from a group in Yellow Breeches Creek and went underwater.

YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Recovery workers will continue their search for a missing kayaker in Yellow Breeches Creek near Fairview Township on Tuesday morning.

Emergency personnel plan to renew their search at 8 a.m. They ask residents and commuters to avoid the area of Limekiln Road and Slate Hill Road in York and Cumberland Counties, as it is anticipated that the road will be closed on both sides of the bridge when recovery efforts resume. Tuesday's search efforts are concentrated in the area of the dam near these roads.

The bridge is expected to remain closed all day, officials said on Facebook. They ask people to continue to avoid the area both on foot and in the waterway. Road closures include Limekiln Road at Spangler's Mill Road and Slate Hill Road at Argali Lane.

On Monday, the search centered around a small dam and included emergency personnel searching in the water and underneath fallen trees from Saturday's storm.

Bystanders and media were cleared from near the scene at around 7:30 on Monday night, as a mobile command unit was brought in. Recovery operations finished for the night at 10 p.m.

No update was given on the status of the search.

Officials with the Fairview Township Fire Department said in a press release issued shortly before noon on Monday that there were "no significant updates," since the search was suspended due to darkness Sunday night, but the effort is now considered a "recovery mission" due to the amount of time since the missing kayaker was last seen.

The juvenile kayaker was with a group Saturday afternoon when he became separated and went underwater, authorities said. 

Search and rescue teams were dispatched to the area at about 5 p.m. on Aug. 10 and tried to locate the missing juvenile until the search was suspended due to darkness. The search resumed Sunday morning and continued until conditions again became too dark Sunday night.

Search teams resumed their activities early Monday morning, using boats, drones, K-9 units and other resources, the press release said.

The main search area is a 1.5-mile perimeter near the 1000 block of Limekiln Road.

This is a developing story. FOX43 will provide updates as they become available.

Before You Leave, Check This Out