Ongoing search for kayaker Bren Orton who disappeared on a river in Switzerland.
A 29-year-old man went kayaking near the Swiss-Italian border with a group when he got trapped in a recirculating region and failed to resurface. This detail is shared by Pyranha, the company that makes Orton's kayaks, in a statement.
According to the statement, Bren is now being considered as missing, and authorities along with friends are making persistent efforts to find him. The statement also kindly requests everyone to keep Orton's family and friends' privacy in mind during this challenging time by avoiding any speculation or rumors about the incident.
In a separate statement, Ticino Police mentioned that a man was reported missing around 2:45 pm local time on Thursday while kayaking on Melezza River. The police are currently engaged in a search operation which is so far unsuccessful but still in progress. The efforts involve agents from the Cantonal Police, Ascona Police, Salva (Locarnese and Valli Ambulance Service), and REGA (Swiss search and rescue).
When approached by CNN, Ticino Police's spokesperson mentioned that their search is exhaustive and currently taking place near the mouth of the Maggia River, where the Melezza River tributary ends, and Lake Maggiore.
Bren Orton, the missing kayaker, has a history of venturing into some of the most inhospitable and perilous locations worldwide, including setting the British record for the longest kayak drop (128 feet) at the Big Banana Falls in Mexico. In a past interview with Paddling Life, he revealed that his primary goal in his career is to be "the smoothest, sickest kayaker that I can be," he said, and that he's not too concerned about competing or winning medals.
James Reeves, a former competitive kayaker, expressed his grief about Orton's life and achievements in a Facebook post, describing him as an "incredible human with a warm smile and friendly nature, as bright as his kayaking skills... I was fortunate enough to briefly mentor Bren in his early years before watching him rise to become one of the greatest whitewater kayakers ever."
Barbie Nadeau from CNN also contributed to the reporting.
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The authorities are utilizing resources from the Cantonal Police, Ascona Police, Salva, REGA, and local ambulance services in their ongoing search for Bren Orton. Despite extensive efforts, the search near the mouth of Maggia River and Lake Maggiore has yet to locate the missing kayaker.
Source: edition.cnn.com
