lost one of our own
lost one of our own
Kayaker Dies in St. Johns County
From the FWC
A 59-year-old Gainesville man died while kayaking on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in St. Johns County sometime last night or early this morning. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is investigating the accident.
Francis A. Stephenson (DOB 4/11/49), of 8401 NW 13th St., left the canal behind his brother’s house just north of the State Road 206 bridge in St. Augustine about 6 p.m., Wednesday, in his kayak. According to his brother, Brian Stephenson, his intent was to go to the mouth of the canal and fish along the ICW.
When Stephenson didn’t return by 6 a.m., his brother began searching for him in the ICW. By around 11:30 a.m., when he still hadn’t found his brother, Brian Stephenson’s wife called the U.S. Coast Guard and reported him missing.
The Coast Guard notified the FWC around 1:40 p.m., Thursday, of the situation and several agencies began an all-out search for Stephenson. Helicopters from the FWC and Coast Guard took to the air, while FWC and St. Augustine Police Department boats took to the water.
At around 2:30 p.m., spotters in the Coast Guard helicopter found the kayak capsized on the oyster flats at the entrance to Moses Creek, just north of the SR 206 bridge. Stephenson’s body was found sitting in the seat of the kayak with the skirt still attached to the seating compartment. He was wearing his life jacket and had all required safety equipment on board.
“Mr. Stephenson appeared to be extremely safety-conscious, and an experienced kayaker who had more than the required safety equipment on board,” said Lt. Steve Zukowsky, FWC’s law enforcement lieutenant for coastal St. Johns County. “However, there were strong winds, a flood tide and the water was very rough and choppy when he reportedly went kayaking last night.”
The medical examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Senior Exalted Pro Staff Member of the Paddle-Fishing.com Kayak & Canoe Anglers Club
Lost fellow paddler
That is a sad end for Mr Stephenson.
It sounds like he got trapped in the seating well of a sit-inside type of kayak.
I would like to know the results of the autopsy to see if cause of death was drowning.
It sounds like he got trapped in the seating well of a sit-inside type of kayak.
I would like to know the results of the autopsy to see if cause of death was drowning.
Be thankful for every day and especially those fine days on the water
- justabucup
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Re: Lost fellow paddler
Orbluebill wrote:That is a sad end for Mr Stephenson.
It sounds like he got trapped in the seating well of a sit-inside type of kayak.
I would like to know the results of the autopsy to see if cause of death was drowning.
At 59 years old exerting himself in a chop and wind he could have just as easily had a heart attack and lost the balance of his boat.
Or
He could have made a conscience decision to go out for one last paddle because of a health reason. How many of us have not thought of a "good way to go" would be to go out for one last paddle?
All are conjecture and I am sure his family would better served to celebrate his life rather then to mourn his death.
Credo quia absurdum
- Redfishn'Ale
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- FlaPaddleFish
- Posts: 241
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:29 pm
- Location: Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Prayers out to his family. one thing they didn't mention in the article - the weather was terrible that day. The wind was too much for any type of fishing especially for a kayak. I fish in that area often and I know the waters pretty well and you don't want to be out there in bad weather.
Let this remind us that we've got to keep it safe.
Let this remind us that we've got to keep it safe.
Hobie Outback S.U.V.