Pocono News Section

Search Continues for Missing Fisherman

Search Continues for Missing Fisherman - Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 6:37PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Wednesday, Jul 9, 2008 @ 06:37pm EST
WYALUSING, BRADFORD COUNTY - The search continued Wednesday for a missing fisherman on the Susquehanna River in Bradford County. A 62-year-old man went missing Tuesday afternoon along the river in the Wyalusing-area.

More than 30 volunteers spent the day Wednesday searching the fast-moving waters of the river. A two-mile stretch in the Browntown area is where firefighters think the man went missing.

"We have rapids above us and rapids below us that a boat cannot travel through, so we're searching the rapids," Wyalusing fire chief Bryan Champluvier said.

Investigators say they've recovered the missing man's boat but it doesn't hold any clues to his whereabouts. Four dive teams from Bradford, Wyoming and Luzerne counties are helping in the search.

"The water is low on the edges. We are trying to search the channel heavier, where the gentleman normally ran his fishing route," Champluvier said.

Lee Hulsizer lives right along the river. He knows the water can be relentless.

"The rapids right across the way, those kinds of things can be very dangerous, even with the water level low, things can get out of hand," Hulsizer said.

Search crews don't suspect any foul play. They aren't ready to classify their efforts as a recovery mission just yet.

Neighbors like Lynn Henfeling are hoping for a miracle.

"This is a small town. You get frightened that it's somebody you know, somebody you care about," Henfeling said.

Rescue crews have not yet release the name of the missing man. They have not said how long they will continue their river search.