The search for a missing kayaker near Cowans Ford Dam in Lincoln County, Pablo Benitez Neri, aged 45, of Lincolnton, has persisted throughout the week after he was reported missing on October 19. Neri's kayak overturned at around 5:30 p.m. while he was fishing with a friend on the Catawba River, as confirmed by several local emergency agencies involved in the search effort.
Despite the deployment of rescue boats following the incident, QC News reports that severe weather hampered the initial rescue efforts, causing teams to suspend the search Sunday night, but with the weather clearing, activities resumed on Monday using advanced equipment, including sonar technology, aerial drones, and a State Bureau of Investigation cadaver dog. The disabled kayaker was not wearing a life jacket when the accident occurred, which has led to greater concerns for his safety. Investigators are using every tool at their disposal to locate him.
Meanwhile, a separate article from WBTV highlighted that the addition of a remote operations vehicle has supplemented the existing search methods, emphasizing the extent of the resources being used in response to the situation. As the days pass with no sign of Neri, efforts continue with shoreline searches being conducted by multiple teams.
According to the WCNC account of events, Neri was seen last on Mountain Island Lake, located between Mecklenburg and Lincoln counties; emergency crews from Huntersville Fire Department, East Lincoln Fire, and Denver Fire departments have been scouring the area near the Highway 73 bridge and although the initial search was curtailed by adverse weather conditions, it is expected that the search will press on as search crews are hoping that with each passing hour they will bring back some news to Neri's family.
Local authorities have announced that the HWY 73 Public Boat Access will remain closed through tomorrow as intensive search operations continue in the hopes of finding any trace of the missing kayaker. The community has been asked to avoid the area to facilitate the ongoing search operations and ensure the safety of the rescue teams.
