Accident Database

Report ID# 3426

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Accident Description

FORT BRAGG (WTVD) -- A Fort Bragg Army civilian employee missing since his kayak capsized on the Little River on Fort Bragg Sunday has been found. Officials say crews found 50-year-old Alexander "Possum" Gillespie of Fayetteville Thursday afternoon, near where he went over the dam on the river. On Sunday, two other kayakers were able to make it to shore safely and called 911. They said Gillespie's kayak resurfaced, but he did not after he capsized.

Missing kayaker identified, search continues

STORY: Search continues for missing kayaker Since his disappearance, Fort Bragg Emergency Services personnel had coordinated a massive rescue effort with soldiers and equipment from across Fort Bragg and local, county and state law enforcement and rescue teams. Officials said the biggest difficultly in finding Gillespie was the swift moving water, high brush and steep banks. Water levels of the Little River on Sunday were about 12 feet because of days of rain. By Wednesday, it had gone down to half of that. Authorities say they do not suspect foul play at this time, but they are still investigating. Death on Little River near Fort Bragg, NC.

Contrary to news reports, my information indicates the victim was 51 years of age.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Fort Bragg authorities on Thursday found the body of a missing kayaker in the Little River.Alexander “Possum” Gillespie, 50, of Fayetteville, had been missing since Sunday after capsizing on the river, where he was kayaking with two other people. They both made it safely to shore. The 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) dive team recovered Gillespie's body less than 100 meters from where he was last seen, authorities said. Fast water caused by recent heavy rains and steep terrain in the area made the search difficult, they said.Fort Bragg Emergency Services personnel coordinated the rescue effort, which included soldiers and equipment from units across post, as well as Fayetteville, Cumberland County and state law enforcement and rescue teams.Gillespie was a civilian employee at Fort Bragg.

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