The body of a young Lebanon County man was found about nine miles from where his canoe capsized May 17 in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, said the Centre County coroner.
The cause of death of Curtis E. Martin, 19, has not been determined for certain, said Coroner Scott Sayers. "We are leaning toward drowning," he said. An autopsy was done and toxicological testing is under way, but results could take four to six weeks, he said.
Martin was spotted in the river in a rural part of Burnside Township by a railroad worker on a bridge, and also a driver, Sayers said. The coroner was called to the scene about 1:45 p.m. Sunday.
Sayers said he understands another person was in the canoe with Martin when it overturned, who was able to get to shore. The river was running high and swift after heavy rain that weekend, Sayers said, and the canoe party was in an area without cell phone service.
After the others in the party were able to reach emergency responders, water searches were conducted May 17-20, and a watch was being kept on the river for the missing boater, Sayers said.
