New Hampshire

Search Suspended for Kayaker Who Went Missing in NH River

The search for a kayaker who went missing in the Merrimack River in Concord, New Hampshire has been suspended until Friday.

Concord fire officials said they received a call sometime before 7 a.m. Thursday reporting two overturned kayaks in the area of the Sewalls Falls Bridge.

Authorities said the two kayakers are brothers.

"One kayaker made it initially to a rock and then to shore to find a person to call 911," said Concord Fire Chief Dan Andrus. 

Both men are in their early twenties and are from New Hampshire.

The Concord Fire Department arrived at the scene at 7:02 a.m. and deployed boats in the area where the kayaker was last seen and downstream from that area.

The brother who was able to reach shore was not injured and remained at the scene to provide information to emergency officials.

Andrus said the two brothers were not wearing life vests. He said this stretch of river can be particularly dangerous, especially with recent rainfall.

"Personally, I have an immense amount of respect and by respect I mean fear of the Merrimack River," said Andrus. "It looks still – pretty river to look at, recreational area - but it's also deadly. We have had our share of fatal incidents over the years."

A state police airplane assisted the Concord, Bow and Hooksett fire departments with the search.

The search is expected to continue at 8 a.m. Friday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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