The deceased has been identified as Dakota MacGill, 26, of South Williamsport. MacGill, described as an experienced kayaker, was not wearing a flotation vest and was apparently pulled under by the water currents resulting in his drowning, the news release added.
Search for missing kayaker ends near Montoursville; public asked to report sightings
by Samantha Durante, Fox 56 news
Sun, June 8th 2025
MONTOURSVILLE, LYCOMING CO. (WOLF) — Details began emerging from the scene of a kayaking accident that resulted in a missing kayaker clinging to branches for 45 minutes before being swept away by the strong current. According to the Montoursville Fire Department, three kayakers - two adults and a 4-year-old went into the water Saturday on two kayaks. One adult and the child were able to swim to the bank for safety and called for help with whistles until a bystander saw them about 30 minutes later. They watched helplessly as the other adult held onto branches for about 45 minutes before, he eventually let go and was pulled under. When help arrived around noon, they couldn't find him
The search resumed just after 9 a.m. Sunday, and involved at least six fire companies and two state agencies, including the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the DCNR, which is in charge of the investigation. Rescuers and searchers were assisted by dogs, drones, boats, dive teams, and emergency management services. “You can get into a lot of places that you can’t get a manned aircraft into, we can get in a lot tighter. Obviously, there’s still a lot of safety considerations that we have with them, but they’re very helpful," said Kale Geiswite, Drone Program Manager for the New Berlin Fire Company.
At least five drones were used in the search in addition to manned aircraft. "Drones give the ability to put a piece of robotics to allow us to see what we need to see during these incidents without putting somebody else’s life at harm or greater risk.”
The park was still open to visitors, and many locals were unsurprised to see rescue and recovery crews near the bend in the river. “It’s all calm water for half a mile, and then it bends to the right. Before the hard right turn, it bends to the left and then it’s a downhill curve. It’s a blind spot right into the tree. If you’re not looking, there’s nothing you can do about it," said Montoursville native Steven Butler.
Butler and his friends Alex Middendorf and Isaiah Ash suffered a similar kayak accident just two days prior to Saturday's incident and were able to capture some of their experience on video. You can’t get out. It just sucks you right into the tree. My kayak got stuck under the tree, and I got up and walked the length of the tree, but I had to jump in the water and float down," expressed Butler.
The incident caused the group to lose one of their kayaks, which rescue crews recovered during the search." “His kayak went out from under him and got caught in the trees. My kayak went out from under me and I got choked out from trees for about 30 seconds until I just went under and found my way out," said Ash.
Experienced kayakers, Butler and Middendorf say the dangers of the area are nearly unavoidable. “I probably haven’t fallen off a kayak or been in that situation ever in my life. That’s probably the worst section I’ve ever been on," said Butler. They say the area's biggest issue is debris from fallen trees. “And you only have like 10 seconds to really get over there once you get over that curve because the water picks up and there’s all the debris," said Middendorf.
Local heavy equipment owner/operator Glen Hawbaker donated an excavator that was used to clear the debris from the riverside during the search.
Rescue crews say each piece of debris they excavate is one less piece of debris that someone may get stuck on in the future.
Sunday’s search was suspended before 4pm, and crews say they will not resume the search until they receive new information.
The kayaker was last reported seen wearing a lime green shirt. The public is asked to call 911 with sightings.
Missing kayaker in Loyalsock Creek feared drowned
Williamsport Sun-Gazette
June 7, 2025
More than two dozen emergency responders spent much of Saturday looking for a missing kayaker in Loyalsock Creek before calling off the search at 6 p.m. The kayaker was on one of two kayaks that upset in an area called "the rapids," about a half a mile south of Broad Street in Montoursville, officials said. With no sight of the kayaker by 6 p.m., it was feared that he had drowned, said a fire officer. A crew assigned to Geisinger's Life Flight helicopter did two flyovers of where the kayaker was last seen, but nothing was spotted in the creek, said a spokesman.
Looks like a strainer was involved
One kayak had a man and child; the other held the missing man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GIjzglZnzg
Search in Loyalsock Creek for missing kayaker called off,
will resume Sunday
Jun 7, 2025
Philip A. Holmes, Williamsport Sun Gazette
Firefighters assigned to one of several boats dispatched to Loyalsock Creek late Saturday morning, search for a missing kayaker. PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette
More than two dozen emergency responders spent much of Saturday looking for a missing kayaker in Loyalsock Creek before calling off the search at 6 p.m.
The kayaker was on one of two kayaks that upset in an area called “the rapids,” about a half a mile south of Broad Street in Montoursville, officials said.
With no sight of the kayaker by 6 p.m., it was feared that he had drowned, said one fire officer.
“There were three kayakers, two riding in one kayak and one in another. Both upset in the rapids,” said one responder. “The two riding together made it to shore, but the one riding alone is unaccounted for at this time,” the responder told the Sun-Gazette about 2:30 p.m. as the search continued.
City firefighters Matt Swartz, left, and Trevor Stroble recover one of two kayaks that upset Saturday in Loyalsock Creek, south of Montoursville. Two occupants in this kayak made it safely to shore. A third kayaker, riding solo in another, was missing. The search was ongoing. The second kayak was also recovered. Both sustained extensive damage when they upset in "the rapids," according to a water conservation officer. PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette
Firefighters, paramedics as well as borough and state police were dispatched to the 500 block of Mill Street in the borough about 11:15 a.m. for a missing kayaker.
Among those responding were numerous boats from several communities, including Williamsport, South Williamsport, Montgomery Emergency Management, Clinton Township and Picture Rocks.
Returing from a medical run, a crew assigned to Geisinger’s Life Flight helicopter did a flyover of where the kayaker was last seen, but nothing was spotted in the creek, a spokesman said
“The kayakers entered the water upstream and started floating down. They were in the water a short period of time before they upset,” the spokesman said.
