Man dies after his empty kayak is spotted in the Pacific Ocean, Oregon rescuers say

An empty kayak floating in the Pacific Ocean led rescuers to a man’s body, officials said.

Someone saw the empty kayak and reported it to officials in Oregon around 10:45 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 5, Seaside Fire and Rescue said.

“A witness said the victim was out in the ocean with a group of kayakers and became separated from his kayak, prompting the 911 call,” officials said in a news release.

Lifeguards rushed to the scene and started searching the surf zone. They did not know how long the man had been in the water.

Shortly after rescuers arrived, they received a report of a body in the water nearby. Officials pulled the man from the water and took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The man, who was in his 50s, was wearing a wetsuit but no life jacket when he became separated from his kayak, officials said.

“Seaside officials wish to remind beachgoers that the Pacific Ocean presents many dangers, even to those familiar with the risks,” officials said. “Please use extreme caution when entering the water.”

Seaside is about 80 miles northwest of Portland.

This story was originally published September 6, 2022 at 11:09 AM with the headline "Man dies after his empty kayak is spotted in the Pacific Ocean, Oregon rescuers say."