By WTAP, Phyllis Smith |
Posted: Mon 5:00 PM, Jul 10, 2017 |
Updated: Mon 6:25 PM, Jul 10, 2017
ATHENS, Ohio (WTAP) - Dive teams are still searching for missing kayaker Steve Lippson. It's been two and a half days since he was last seen on the Hocking River in Athens, Ohio.
Officials say the 40-year-old man from Meigs County was swept of Whites Mill waterfall. Due to heavy rains Friday, the river swelled by about four feet. Officials say this might have played a role, since Lipson was an experienced kayaker.
"This river here is normally low throughout the city. We do have the dam to deal with, whether it's low water or high water. You can see it's pretty low right now. It still has quite a bit of rapids going over the dam, so naturally, the current is going to change," said Chief Robert Rymer, Athens Fire Department.
The other five kayakers he was with were rescued. He has been missing since about 2 p.m. Saturday.
Boats are running sonar to try to find him and cadaver dogs are on scene.
The search continues for a missing kayaker in Athens County.
Search and recovery efforts resumed on the Hocking River in Athens around 8 a.m. Sunday.
Steve Lippson, 40, of Racine, Ohio, has been missing since 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Six kayakers were swept over the Whites Mill water fall in the Hocking River on Saturday. Five of them were either rescued by emergency responders or got out themselves.
Lippson did not make it out.
The investigation and recovery operation has been transferred to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The Athens Fire Department and Wellston Fire Department are assisting with the operation.
