Accident Database

Report ID# 33234

Help
  • PFD Not Worn or Present
  • Does not Apply
  • Solo Paddling
  • One Boat Trip

Accident Description

Missing kayaker found dead on the Shenandoah River

PAGE COUNTY, Va (WHSV) — UPDATE (June 15):

 

After nearly a week of searching along the Shenandoah River in Page County for two missing kayakers, a body was found a little after 12:30 p.m. on Friday.

According to Paul Davis, Chief of Police for the Town of Shenandoah, rescuers recovered a body from the surface of the river just about three eighths of a mile from where Gary Alan Price was last seen. This was about 400 yards from the Jr. Avenue Boat Ramp, just north of downtown Shenandoah.

Price, a local man, was last seen going under the water on Sunday afternoon. A call to 911 reported that he had not resurfaced. Rescuers responded immediately and recovered several of his belongings, including a life jacket they say he was not wearing. But high water levels and low visibility made the search extremely difficult.

Virginia State Police assisted with sonar to check over six miles of the river, but crews were back near the original scene on Friday. A few hours after the body was recovered, police confirmed that the remains were those of Gary Price.

The day before, WHSV spoke with his family, who said they were extremely grateful for the efforts of the police and search and rescue teams.

The search continues for a missing kayaker last seen Sunday afternoon when a witness called 911 saying a man came out of his kayak and did not resurface on the Shenandoah River. Officials have identified the man as Gary Alan Price. The Shenandoah Police Department says Price's belongings were recovered the day of the incident, including a life jacket they say he was not wearing.

Officials say conditions have not been good for the search so far this week with the water four to five feet higher than normal and zero visibility. Dive teams, helicopters, boaters and kayak crews have been searching every day.

They say Thurday's conditions were not best for the search efforts, but they will soon need to come up with a new plan if they were not successful Thursday. "We're starting to run out of resources," said Paul Davis, Shenandoah police chief. "We've used all the dive teams we were able to locate. So we're planning on staying here as long as possible today, just depends on the conditions and the availability of our dive team."

Virginia State Police says they've been using side scan sonar to search since Monday, covering over six miles of the river. "After today, we're going to sit down and re-evaluate," Davis said. "We may cut back on our resources and just try to monitor it day by day, and I think we have our plans as we have another dive team coming in on Sunday."

Price's daughter says she and her family are extremely grateful for the efforts of the police and search and rescue teams. Davis says another dive team is planning to come Sunday if needed. He added that the officers and search and rescue teams are very thankful for the support of the community, saying their help with delivering meals has kept them going during the search efforts.

 

Search continues for missing kayaker in Shenandoah River

Posted: Sun 5:23 PM, Jun 10, 2018  | 

 

PAGE COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) — A search is underway for a missing kayaker in the Shenandoah River, according to Shenandoah Police Chief Paul Davis.

As of 9:30 p.m., Chief Davis said the kayaker had not been found and the search would continue into the night and resume in the morning if necessary.

The search began after an eyewitness saw the kayaker go under water on Sunday afternoon, according to Davis. The kayak had been located.

Davis said the search was underway in the area Shenandoah River Road and Junior Ave. Portions of both roadways are closed for search efforts.

He did not release the identity of the missing kayaker.

The Town of Shenandoah is overseeing the search, along with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The Page County Sheriff's Office is assisting.

Last week, officials temporarily suspended a search for a New Jersey man whose vehicle was located at a public boat landing in Page County. That man had last been seen preparing to go kayaking as well, when the Shenandoah River was above flood stage.

 

 

 

 

Join AW and support river stewardship nationwide!