ORFORD, N.H.—Authorities have suspended their search for a Vermont man after his empty kayak was found floating in the Connecticut River in New Hampshire.
Robert Swantak, 58, of Bradford, Vt., set out Thursday for an afternoon of fiddlehead fern picking along the Waits River, which joins the Connecticut River that separates New Hampshire and Vermont.
Swantak's family called police when he failed to return home. His overturned kayak, with a life preserver attached to it, was found a few miles down river in Orford, said Fish and Game Lt. Todd Bogardus.
Authorities from both states searched until after midnight and began searching again Friday morning. They suspended their search Friday afternoon.
Swantak is described as an experienced kayaker who has paddled in the area numerous times. Bogardus said officials remain optimistic that he made it to shore, but he noted that the river was at high flood level with very swift currents and cold water temperatures.
"As inviting as water sports may be, please take into consideration that high water levels from recent rains and snow melt, plus cold water temperatures, can create dangerous situations," he said.
