Authorities seek missing kayaker on Elk River

Published 6:26 pm Monday, May 7, 2018

First-responders in Giles County were continuing to search for a missing kayaker who disappeared on the Elk River Sunday morning.

The man has been identified as 31-year-old Anthony Cooper of Pulaski. He was last seen putting in at a ramp, but his empty kayak was spotted floating upside down about a half-mile downstream.

Barry Cross, information and education coordinator for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Region II office, said at least 50 emergency personnel from Rutherford, Lawrence, Murray and Giles counties were helping search for Cooper late Monday.

“They are still treating it as a rescue effort,” he said, adding cadaver dogs were being brought in to search along the river banks. “They are searching every inch of the river.”

Cross said authorities in North Alabama had also been notified so they could be on the lookout for Cooper, who was by himself and not an experienced kayaker.

“Somewhere between the boat ramp and the island, he had some trouble,” Cross said. “We don’t know if he was wearing a life jacket or not, but a jacket was found with the kayak.”