Search for missing Roanoke Rapids Lake kayaker enters fifth day

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (WNCN) — The search for a father who went missing after a kayak capsized on Roanoke Rapids Lake resumed Monday morning, officials said.

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Rescue crews from Halifax, Nash, Northampton, and Wake counties have been searching the waters near Roanoke Rapids since early Friday morning. Officials said two men were in a tandem kayak on Thursday night when it overturned around 9 p.m. on the lake.

CBS 17 previously spoke with family members and officials searching for the missing man, Angel Rafael Aparicio Martinez. Family members said Martinez gave the only life jacket in the kayak to his friend before the vessel capsized.

Officials said the other kayaker was found just before midnight Thursday, drifting toward a dam in the massive body of water.

Search crews continued operations throughout the weekend, combing the lake from early morning until nightfall each day.

According to Gaston Fire & Rescue, Martinez was not found on Sunday despite extensive search efforts involving drones, land and water searches, hull-mounted side-scan sonar, towable sonar, underwater remotely operated vehicle resources and cadaver K9 teams.

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“We ask for continued prayers for the family during this difficult time, as well as for all responders who remain committed to the ongoing search,” Gaston Fire & Rescue said in a social media update posted Sunday evening.

Roanoke Rapids Lake straddles the Halifax-Northampton county line. 20 agencies from four counties and across the state are assisting in the search for Martinez, including:

• Halifax County Sheriff’s Office
• Gaston Fire & Rescue
• Halifax County EMS
• Halifax County Emergency Management
• Wake Forest Fire Department
• Nash County Sheriff’s Office
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission
• NC Emergency Management
• North Carolina State Highway Patrol
• Hertford County Emergency Management
• Northampton Emergency Management
• Roanoke Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department
• Littleton Volunteer Fire Department
• Roanoke Rapids Fire Department
• Roanoke Rapids Police Department
• Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad
• Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
• Northampton County EMS
• Halifax County Emergency Communications
• Northampton County 911 Communications

Roanoke Rapids Lake is a 4,600-acre reservoir connected to Lake Gaston, which spans about 20,000 acres and stretches into Virginia.

Authorities said the investigation remains under the direction of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.

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