BARBOUR COUNTY, W.Va. — As high water recedes across the state, attention in Barbour County turns back to the search for a missing kayaker on the Middle Fork River. The excessive flow made the remote stretch of water too dangerous for officials to continue the search and recovery operation for Jamie Gray, 41, of Hacker Valley this week.
West Virginia Natural Resources Police anticipate the water level will have dropped enough by Sunday to resume the operation. The DNR Friday shutdown public access to the river from Audra State Park.
“The closure is necessary as DNR Police are bringing in equipment including ropes and cables to assist with the recovery of the kayaker presumed drowned on Feb. 9. DNR Police hope to resume recovery operations Sunday morning, but continue to monitor water levels and conditions at the site to ensure personnel can re-enter the water safely,” said Natural Resources Police spokesman Lawrence Messina.
Gray was an experience kayaker and was paddling with a group of about ten white water veterans when the mishap on the river occurred last Sunday. She was lost in an area where the water is swift even at a normal flow and there are many boulders and strong undercurrents.
The location of the site has complicated the search and recovery effort. Natural Resources Police say the area, which is downstream from the state park, is rugged and access is limited. According to one officer it’s difficult to even stand on the bank in the area where she’s believed to be.
Gray’s kayak and paddle were discovered down stream. Officers believe her body is still in the same area where she was last seen to go under the water.
DNR law enforcement has discouraged any independent recovery efforts or involvement of anyone not tied to the official state search and recovery effort.