LicolnCourier.com (05-24-10)
A 32-y/o Waynesville resident who went missing after his kayak tipped over in Salt Creek, north of Polecat Bridge in Logan Co., has still not been located. Adam Stapleton went missing Sat.evening (05-22) after turning his kayak sideways to slow down to wait for a group of friends who were with him. At approximately midnight on Sun., an Illinois Dept. of Transportation helicopter found Stapleton's kayak stuck in a logjam just past the bridge.
Logan Co. Emergency Agency director Dan Fulscher said the kayak was so forcefully stuck inside the logjam, and the current in the water was so strong, the rescue team was initially unable to free the kayak. After examining the inside of the vessel there was no doubt it belonged to Stapleton.
The mission to locate Stapleton has switched from "search and rescue" to "recovery." Fulscher said this doesn't mean Stapleton has drowned. The criteria for search and rescue efforts on land are 3 days, as opposed to one day for water. "If we find footprints a couple of miles down the river," said Fulscher, "it goes right back to search and rescue." Operations classified as search and rescue continues for 24-hrs, while recovery efforts are conducted on a set schedule. Today his crews are set to continue location efforts from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. - "daylight operation hours." A briefing will be held with the Illinois DNR at 3 p.m. to give updates on the progress.
http://www.lincolncourier.com/news/city/x1107438865/Search-continues-for-kayaker
