Missing kayaker found safe in weeki wachee thanks to coordinated rescue effort

WEEKI WACHEE, FL – A missing kayaker was safely located and reunited with his family on Wednesday evening, thanks to the quick response and coordinated efforts of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and its specialized units.

The incident began just after 7:30 p.m. on April 11, 2024, when deputies were called to a residence on Waverly Road in Weeki Wachee regarding a missing adult. The individual, an experienced kayaker and search and rescue expert, had been separated from his family earlier that day during a kayak trip on the Weeki Wachee River.

Family members last saw him around 4 p.m. near Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. They believed he might have been lost due to unfamiliarity with the area.

The HCSO deployed its Aviation Unit, Marine Unit, and Drone Unit to search for the kayaker. Success came just after 8:30 p.m. when the Aviation Unit’s deputy pilots located him near Hospital Hole on the river. He was guided back to his vacation rental by patrol deputies and safely rejoined his family within ten minutes of being found.

Sheriff Al Nienhuis praised the efforts of his team, highlighting the critical role of their high-tech resources and the invaluable support from surrounding agencies through mutual aid agreements. This incident underscores the importance of robust search and rescue capabilities in ensuring the safety of residents and visitors in Hernando County.

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