A search is on today for a 51-year-old Campbell River man whose kayak was found abandoned on a small unnamed island in Surge Narrows.
The Coast Guard was dispatched to investigate the abandoned kayak Thursday around 4:30 p.m.
Investigators quickly determined that the kayak likely belonged to a 51-year-old Campbell River man who had been reported missing earlier in the day to Campbell River RCMP, after he failed to show up to work. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Poppy Hallam said the man was reported to have been recently suffering from depression.
"Once officers arrived at the location of the kayak, they located multiple personal items belonging to the missing man," Cpl. Hallam said. "The island where the kayak was found is very small, and a thorough ground search uncovered no further signs of the man."
The initial search of the waters in Surge Narrows by air and sea concluded late in the evening on Thursday after it failed to produce any further signs of the missing man. The RCMP West Coast Marine Service, Quadra Island RCMP, and ground Search and Rescue technicians remain engaged in a search of the area today. As of 11 a.m. today, the missing man had not been located.
Based on all known information, the identity of the missing man will not be released. Officers are continuing attempts to contact and notify his family at this time.