Officials are searching for a missing kayaker, identified as off-duty Dallas Fire Rescue member Juan Omar Chaidez, on Lake Lavon in North Texas.
PRINCETON, Texas — Officials are searching for an off-duty Dallas Fire-Rescue member who was reported missing while kayaking, officials said.
Deputies were notified around 10:30 a.m. Saturday of a missing kayaker on Lake Lavon, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release. A witness reported seeing a kayaker with a dog in the water, and later saw the dog paddling alone near the overturned vessel, the release states.
The missing kayaker was later identified as Juan Omar Chaidez, an off-duty Dallas Fire Rescue firefighter, officials said.
“Please keep the Chaidez family and each other in your thoughts and prayers,” Dallas Fire-Rescue said in an internal memo to its members.
Multiple agencies, including Dallas Fire-Rescue, Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and others are participating in the search. Agencies utilized a helicopter, drones, cadaver dogs, seven boats, swift water rescue and divers in the search, according to the Princeton Fire Department.
The Chaidez’s boat was recovered, and his dog was rescued, officials said.
Search operations have been challenging due to high winds and submerged trees, the release states. Search operations were suspended at 8:30 p.m. Saturday and resumed at 8 a.m. Sunday, officials said.
The incident remains under investigation. Officials are operating out of Bratonia Park on Lake Lavon, which is closed to the public, officials said.