Search underway for father who overturned in kayak

The man was kayaking with his young son, according to reports.

A search continues today for a father whose boat overturned while he was kayaking with his son near the centre of town in Guildford, Surrey, yesterday.

Surrey Police and the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service are combing the riverbanks and searching the River Wey for the man, whose identity has not been released.

A specialist dive team are also taking part in the search.

In a statement, police said: “Surrey Police is carrying out a search of the River Wey for a man whose kayak overturned on Monday (March 28).

“Officers were called around 1:10pm to Millmead by the Guildford Borough Council offices following reports that a man had gone into the water after his kayak capsized near the weir.

“Officers are working with colleagues from the fire service to try and find the man. The police helicopter and ambulance crews are also in attendance.”

According to West Surrey police, the man was spotted in the water by several members of the public and got into difficulty due to the extremely strong current.

Several eyewitnesses described seeing the man paddling in an orange kayak while his young son looked on from the river bank near a weir. The man was not wearing a lifejacket, but his son was.

Eyewitnesses have estimated the son’s age at 11 or 12. Some eyewitnesses have reported that the father jumped in to the river when his son got into difficulties before reaching the riverbank, however this has not been confirmed.

The River Wey Kayak Club issued warnings about dangerous river conditions on Sunday and Monday, and advised people against boating.

In a post to Twitter and its website, the club wrote: “Godalming Wharf to Thames Lock – all river sections of the navigations are in flood. Dangerous conditions to navigation exist and it is not safe to proceed along the waterway at this time.”

Police are urging members of the public to avoid entering the water if they do see the kayaker but to call 999 straightaway.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference P16069050.

Search called off for missing rower