POPD Rescue Two Missing Canoers

Posted

Port Orange, Fl - Two men, 78-year-old Thomas Kohrs and 82-year-old Wayne Foit, are safely home after they stranded a canoe rented at Cracker Creek over the weekend. 

Port Orange (POPD) police officers were contacted Sunday (April 11) around 10:40 a.m. in reference to the two missing men. They had rented a canoe and launched around 2 p.m. on Saturday (April 10). They hadn't returned with the canoe and their vehicle was still in the parking lot.

Port Orange Police Department Patrol units, along with members of the Criminal
Investigations Division began working the investigation. Efforts were coordinated along
with assistance provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC),
Volusia Sheriff’s Office and Volusia County Beach Safety. Searches were conducted along
Spruce Creek both east and west of Cracker Creek.

After a more than 7-hour search, the canoe was found. Kohrs and Foit were found shortly after in the marshy area along the creek near the vicinity of 1861 Spruce Creek Blvd. East. The pair had minor injuries and minor exposure to the elements. 

Investigation found that the men became stranded Saturday afternoon. Storms coming through the area caused them to become further lost and they were not to find their way out. They sheltered themselves as best they could while they waited for rescue.

Port Orange Police, canoe rescue