WKKJ Radio Chillicothe Local News
Search for Kayaker on Paint Creek near Bainbridge Should Continue Today
Mar 23, 2021
The search for a boater on Paint Creek near Bainbridge who disappeared Sunday afternoon should continue today. Crews paused about 10pm Monday. His name has not been released. The Ross County Sheriff's department reported Monday morning that they had assisted ODNR on the possible drowning, and that they had spoken to four witnesses, including Girgory Filimonov. He said the man tipped over in a kayak, and he helped him get to the shoreline about 200 yards east of the rapids...but the man then went under the water and he did not see him come back up.
Body of missing kayaker found in Paint Creek
Chillicothe Gazette
CHILLICOTHE - Officials confirmed that 46-year-old Marc Stephens’ body was recovered by dive teams along Paint Creek Thursday afternoon. Stephens went missing on Sunday evening after he toppled a kayak on the creek near Rapid Forge Road and route 50.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources launched boats, dive teams, and air support and spent five days looking for the man.
Stephen’s body was sent to Montgomery County Coroner’s office for an autopsy.
From Grigory Filimonov on FB That was a group of Rec. boat paddlers. They probably were not informed about the river situation. No PFD, no dry- or wetsuits, no helmets, drinking beer. The water level was on the border between medium to high according to AW. There was definitely Class III+, because of big waves and holes, which need to be avoided. The water was ice-cold, that's why the guy was exhausted after 2 minutes of being there. He flipped over just before the Chutes. Walmart-kayak, no PFD, no dry/wetsuit, probably after few beers. He swam all Chutes in ice-cold water (2 minutes). I tried to save him after the last wave. He grabbed my stern loop, hold for 10 seconds, then released and went under the dirty water. Cannot see him after to continue. That was the sad end.
