Gloucester News

Missing Poquoson Canoers Found and Identified

Rescue agencies frantic to rescue stranded canoers on the Poquoson River

Reporter Paige Sibley

Sunday night, January 26th, three men decided to go canoeing on the Poquoson River. They set sail around 11:30 p.m., launching their canoe near Boathouse Cove in Dare. It is later reported that their canoe capsized during their trip, leaving the three men stranded. The authorities have theorized that the canoe collapsed sometime after midnight.

Temperatures of the water could reach under 45 degrees Fahrenheit, making hypothermia a serious hazard for the canoers. Captain Kevin Carroll, commander sector for the U.S. Coast Guard of Virginia, is quoted saying “Your body starts to shut off some functions just in order to survive. In some cases, you can lose consciousness.”

Luckily, one of the men was able to make his way back to shore safely. He was immediately taken to receive medical attention. After being released from the hospital, he was able to give helpful information to the authorities.

Unfortunately, two of the men remained missing. Around 4:30 a.m., York Fire Chief Stephen Kopczynski’s men got a call to dispatch and search the area for the canoers. Approximately half a dozen different organizations participated in Monday’s search. Authorities had asked residents in the Dare and Poquoson area to check around their property in case the men had made it ashore.

Their canoe was found on Bennett Creek around 8 a.m., South of where they collapsed. Captain Carroll informed reporters that they used the data from currents in the river to estimate possible search locations for the canoers. The police have reported using a side-scan sonar tool in order to locate the bodies of the deceased canoers.

Monday morning, January 27th, around 5:30 p.m. the bodies of the two remaining missing canoers were found roughly 600 yards off shore. According to Chief Kopczynski, the two men’s bodies were recovered close to the shore of Jenning Drive. After looking further into the incident, police were able to identify the men as Benjamin Leeming, 26 years old, and David Nicks, 24 years old.

Though devastated by the results of the search, the families of the men appreciated the people who contributed to the investigation. “We extend our deepest condolences to all of those family members and friends who are affected during this difficult time,” said Captain Carroll.

Following the incident, Carroll warns anyone interested in water activities to be safe. “We always try to impress the importance of safety equipment, even something as simple as wearing a life jacket, so that we can help assist you,” said Carroll, hoping to prevent a similar situation in the future.