Rescue crews recovered the body of a missing kayaker Tuesday morning after an extensive search on Canandaigua Lake near Vine Valley.
Deputies identified the victim as 26-year-old Ben Hamann of Farmington, who was reported in distress around 10:19 a.m. near the boat launch in the town of Middlesex.
According to the Yates County Sheriff’s Office, emergency dispatchers received a call about an overturned kayak. Search teams launched a six-hour operation involving boats, drones, and divers from multiple agencies across Yates and Ontario counties.
Crews eventually found and recovered a body from the lake. Officials held off on releasing Hamann’s identity until his family could be notified.
The Yates County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the incident.
Personnel from the Yates County Office of Emergency Services, Middlesex Fire Department, Branchport Keuka Park Fire and Dive Team, Rushville Fire, Canandaigua Fire, Cheshire Fire, and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office dive team assisted in the recovery effort.
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