Crews with drones, side scanning sonar and multiple boats are back at Lake Waccamaw for the third day of searching for Jeb Baldwin.
Baldwin, 18, disappeared Sunday after standing up in a tandem kayak, according to State Parks Spokesperson Katie Hall. The youth and two companions were kayaking around 11:30 a.m. Mother’s Day when the accident happened.
“The friend in the solo kayak saw the tandem kayak flip while the victim was trying to stand,” Hall said in a press briefing. “They righted the kayak, and the friend from the tandem went to fetch their paddles. The victim flipped again and they did not see him resurface.” The remaining two were rescued by a passing boater after about 30-45 minutes.
Baldwin was wearing coveralls and boots, but no personal floatation device, Hall said. His friends said he knew how to swim, Hall said.
“The boys say it was calm when they paddled out but had become windy and the water was choppy,” Hall said.
Crews from multiple area agencies were out in force Sunday and Monday searching for Baldwin. A Highway Patrol helicopter and a drone team from the city of Whiteville joined water rescue and dive teams from Lake Waccamaw Fire and Rescue, Station 30 Rescue Lake Waccamaw, Acme-Delco Riegelwood, Bladen County and the sheriff’s office. The State Parks and Wildlife Commission also deployed personnel and equipment. Columbus County Emergency Services set up its headquarters at the Sigmon Wildlife Access.
Mayor Matt Wilson asked that boaters stay off the lake during the search.
On Monday, drones, side scanning sonar, a cadaver dog and underwater drones used to perform a grid search of parts of the lake. Additional teams were deployed this morning (Tuesday).
Residents of the lake gathered on piers and along the shore Monday night to pray for Baldwin’s family. The Baldwins live at Lake Waccamaw.
