HARFORD COUNTY -- State Department of Natural Resources police are searching the Bynum Run area near Abingdon in Harford County for a possible missing kayaker.

Police said an off-duty Harford County Sheriff Deputy and his wife spotted a person waving for help and appearing to be in distress on Saturday around 6:15 p.m. near where Hookers Mill Road bridge crosses Bynum Run. The person was reportedly seen again near the I-95 Bynum Run crossing later Saturday night.

DNR Police say the person was wearing a white helmet and holding a paddle. Search teams scoured the creek Saturday night and the search was resumed Sunday at 7 a.m.

DNR Police said they have not received any missing persons reports, and are appealing to the public for help. Anyone with information is urged to call the State DNR Police Command Center at 410-260-8888.

BACKGROUND - Since this happened less than 200 yards away from my home, I'm intimately familiar with Bynum Run and it's state that day. You see, Hurricane Hanna had just begun to taper off at the time of the sighting. The Hooker's Mill bridge is new, but not that high, since the second sighting was downstream, we can assume he made it, but I would bet that the lack of head room should have given the kayaker pause enough to know this was a bad idea. The I-95 bridge is about 35 feet above water, so even with the 5 to 6 foot rise in the stream, he had no problem there. But then there's that pesky little bridge 1/8 of a mile down where Rt. 7 crosses Bynum Run. The water at the time of the man's disappearance was slightly above the bottom of the bridge. It never stops to amaze me how many morons will be attracted to the water right after an major weather event.

Submitted on 09/07/2008

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: http://www.wbaltv.com/news/17413702/detail.html

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Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
It always surprises me that people will try to perform water sports when the weather has most emphatically said NOT to! Thanks, and submit again!

Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Lacks Excellence
Without more details I don't feel comfortable voting for this. It sounds like the guy had at least some safety equipment with him since he was seen wearing a helmet, and since no body was found and the police haven't received any missing person reports we can't assume he's dead or even injured. For all we know this person is a highly skilled kayaker who just got into a little trouble but survived and is sitting safe & sound at home right now.

James said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Since this happened so close to where you live, I will accept this as a PA. Why? Your deduction about the water level and the bridge makes sense! Thanks!

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