The kayaker’s father thinks the man was separated from them while kayaking through the Weeki Wachee River.
HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — A kayaker, though tired, is reunited with his family Friday after he went missing on a river in Hernando County.
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office deputies say a man called them at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday saying his son went missing in the Weeki Wachee River.
He told deputies the last time he saw his son was at 4 p.m. when his family all embarked on a kayak trip down the river on vacation. He said his son, a well-practiced kayaker who possesses search and rescue experience, must’ve separated from the family group.
The kayaker probably couldn’t find his way back because he didn’t know the area well, the man said.
Hernando County Sheriff’s then dispatched marine and aerial units, including their drone unit, to find the man – which they did, about an hour later around Hospital Hole, the release said. Within minutes, he was back with his family.
"In situations like these, we spare no expense and leave no resource untapped. Thanks to mutual aid agreements with surrounding agencies, we are able to use many more resources for extended periods of time, when needed," Sheriff Al Nienhuis said in a statement.
The kayaker was not injured.
HCSO Aviation Unit Locates Missing Kayaker – 2024-00131799𝗛𝗖𝗦𝗢 𝗔𝘃𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 – 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰-𝟬𝟬𝟭𝟯𝟭𝟳𝟵𝟵
On 04-11-24 just after 7:30 p.m., Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on Waverly Road in Weeki Wachee regarding a Missing Adult.
Upon arrival, deputies met with the caller who stated he and other family members were vacationing in the Weeki Wachee area. Earlier in the day, several family members embarked on a kayak trip down the Weeki Wachee River.
At approximately 4 p.m., all kayakers were in the area of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park on the river. That is the last time the caller observed his adult son with the group. The caller also stated that his son was in fact an experienced kayaker, with search and rescue experience.
Family members believed he had simply been separated from the group, and being unfamiliar with the area, he was unable to find his way back to their vacation rental.
In addition to patrol deputies searching the area, the HCSO Aviation Unit, Marine Unit, and Drone Unit were dispatched to the river.
Just after 8:30 p.m., deputy/pilots in the Aviation Unit spotted the missing kayaker on the river, in the area of Hospital Hole. Patrol deputies were directed to the kayaker, who in turn directed the kayaker back to the vacation rental. Within less than 10 minutes, the kayaker made it back to his family.
“Having resources like the Aviation Unit, Marine Unit, and Drone Unit, with personnel who are truly second to none in their fields, has been invaluable. Their coordinated efforts undoubtedly played a pivotal role in reuniting this gentleman with his family. In situations like these, we spare no expense and leave no resource untapped. Thanks to mutual aid agreements with surrounding agencies, we are able to use many more resources for extended periods of time, when needed." – Sheriff Al Nienhuis.
Aside from being tired, the kayaker was in good health – and happy to be reunited with his family.
Posted by Hernando County Sheriff's Office on Friday, April 12, 2024
