OPP officers searched the shoreline on foot September 19.

Hub Staff

The search continues for a 60 year old kayaker who went missing from Southampton Monday afternoon. At approximately 2 p.m. on September 19, South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of the boater missing in Lake Huron in the area of Chantry Island.

Area residents reported that David Counsell had gone out in a kayak without a life jacket, a neighbour saw him flip over but didn’t see him come back up. He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt.

"There was a fellow go out in a kayak with no lifejacket and people that know him saw him just outside of the gap going through the long-dock and not wearing a lifejacket," said Saugeen Shores Police Chief Dan Rivett September 19. "One moment he was upright, the next moment the kayak was overturned."

A multi-agency search ensued - both on land and in the water - with OPP Helicopter, South Bruce OPP Marine Unit, Saugeen Shores Police Services, Saugeen Shores Fire and the Canadian Coast Guard on the scene.

Captain Rob Atkinson with the Saugeen Shores Fire Department said September 20, “[The search] is still ongoing by OPP, boats and possibly helicopter today, the wind conditions are favourable for that.”

A police report is expected later today.

Update: Body of missing kayaker found

OPP Marine Units searched the water for missing Southampton man September 19. 60 year old David Counsell was seen going out in a kayak without a life jacket Monday afternoon. Neighbours saw him flip over and not come back up.