Kayaker Still Missing 14 Hours Later: Fire Officials

ST. CHARLES, IL — A kayaker fishing along the Fox River in St. Charles Tuesday night tipped his boat and went underwater, fire officials said. The kayaker, whose identity is not being release, has not yet been found, officials said late Wednesday morning.

During a press conference Wednesday, St. Charles Fire Department Chief Jeremy Mauthe updated the public on the situation. He said two kayakers were out fishing at about 9:40 p.m. Tuesday when one of the kayaks tipped over.

The kayaker went underwater just south of Ferson Creek Fen along the Fox River in St. Charles, authorities said. Officials are still looking into whether the kayaker was wearing a life vest, but reports indicate they were not, said conservation district commander Josh Mooi.

Emergency crews from 26 different departments were called to the scene Tuesday night. Sonar equipment, divers and underwater rovers were used to scan the murky Fox River, Mauthe said. The search turned up tires and other objects in the Fox River but not the kayaker

At about 5 a.m., crews paused their search. They resumed with recovery efforts starting at 8:30 a.m., as they continue to search for the kayaker's body.

Fishing at dark is common, Mooi said. And authorities said the conditions of the Fox River were calm at the time with "virtually no current whatsoever," Mauthe said.

This is a developing story. Check back for details.