Name of deceased kayaker released

The RCMP has released the name of the man who died while kayaking on the Terra Nova River Tuesday evening.

Andrew John Sheppard, 22, of Station Road in Glovertown died after his kayak capsized while on the river with another man.

The two men had been kayaking down the river, in an area known as Old Mill Falls, when Sheppard was thrown into the water. His kayak got caught in the heavy current under one of the falls. He tried to get it back, but was pulled under the water. His friend ran for help.

The local search and rescue unit, RCMP, firefighters, the swift water rescue team from Terra Nova National Park, fishery officers and volunteers searched the area around the river until dark, but couldn’t find the man. The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team was brought in and the Canadian Coast Guard searched the harbour where the river runs into the sea.

The victim's body was recovered at 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, about 200 metres from where he was last seen.

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RCMP confirmed Wednesday evening that the body of a 22-year-old kayaker from Glovertown has been recovered.

Local emergency services had been searching for the man since Tuesday at about 8 p.m.

The body was recovered 8:30, Wednesday, about 200 metres from where he was last seen.

An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning.

RCMP is not expecting to lay any charges in this incident. The man’s family has been notified.

The man was reported missing by a fellow kayaker.

The two men had been kayaking down the river, in an area known as Old Mill Falls, when one of the men was thrown into the water. His kayak got caught in the heavy current under one of the falls; he tried to get it back, but got pulled under the water.

HIs friend ran for help.

The local search and rescue unit, RCMP, firefighters, the swift water rescue team from the nearby national park and volunteers searched the area around the river until dark, but couldn’t find the man.

The search picked up again Wednesday. The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team was brought in and the Canadian Coast Guard searched the harbour where the river runs into the sea. They managed to find a shoe belonging to the missing man.

The name of the person has not been released.

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Searchers are still combing the Terra Nova River for a missing kayaker, and expect to do so until dark tonight.

Local RCMP issued a press release this afternoon laying out the sequence of events since the 22-year-old was reported missing. 

The only information that had not previously been reported included that the Canadian Coast Guard was called to the area today to search the harbour where the river enters the ocean. They found a shoe belonging to the missing man.

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A RCMP diving team is now on the scene to aid the search for a man from Glovertown who went missing Tuesday evening after his kayak capsized.

A 22-year-old male was reported missing shortly before 8 p.m. Glovertown RCMP said he was kayaking amongst a series of small water falls on the Terra Nova River when his kayak capsized. Another kayaker managed to reach the shore unharmed.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, the 22-year-old was still missing.

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A search is underway for a kayaker who went missing Tuesday evening on the Terra Nova River.

According to Glovertown RCMP, the missing 22-year-old male’s kayak capsized while navigating a small set of water falls. A second kayaker reached the shore safely. RCMP received a call about the incident shortly before 8 p.m. The missing male is from Glovertown, according to police.

An RCMP dive team was on its way to the scene as of Wednesday morning. Bonavista Bay Ground Search and Rescue, the Glovertown Fire Department, Parks Canada, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans are also participating in the search.

Police said more information will be released as it becomes available.

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Previous story:

RCMP and emergency officials are searching for a missing kayaker on the Terra Nova River today.

The missing man, in his early 20s and from the Glovertown area, was kayaking on the river last evening when the kayak capsized.

More details when they become available.