A search at an east Louisville lake took a grim turn Wednesday after witnesses saw a kayaker fall into the water and disappear. Firefighters and dive teams spent hours combing Long Run Park, but the man had not been found by late afternoon.
The Search At Long Run Park
Crews were called around 12:46 p.m. after a report that someone had fallen from a kayak, according to an initial WDRB report. Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS and Louisville Fire & Rescue responded with boats and divers. Witnesses described the kayaker as a white man believed to be in his mid- to late-30s, and said they tried but were unable to reach him.
The search was complicated by the lake itself, which has central areas reaching roughly 30 feet deep. Underwater grass reportedly grows as high as 6 feet in places, making it difficult for sonar to see the bottom, WDRB reported.
A Large Park With Boat Access
Long Run Park is a 416-acre Louisville Metro Parks property with boat ramps, canoe access, fishing areas and other outdoor amenities, according to the Louisville Metro park listing. The park sits in the city's east end, near Valhalla Golf Club.
Recovery Effort Expected To Continue
By about 3:30 p.m., divers had been unable to locate the man, and officials said the operation was likely shifting from a rescue to a recovery mission. The man's identity and any further updates were not included in the latest WDRB update.
