CCSO: Kayakers missing in Brunswick Canyon area

This story was updated 3:45 p.m. July 6.

Carson City emergency personnel have located the vehicle of two kayakers who have been missing in the Brunswick Canyon area of east Carson City since July 2, according to a press release issued by the Carson City Sheriff’s Office.

CCSO officials said the office was made aware of the missing kayakers — identified as James Martin and Robert (Bobby) White — on July 5.

Robert White 

“They were expected to return the same day (July 2); however, there has been no contact with either since their departure,” officials said in the release. “Their vehicle was located (July 5), still in the canyon area, with no sign of James or Robert. Search and Rescue is actively working in the canyon area, and the sheriff’s office is assisting with search efforts.”

Anyone with any information or knowledge of the kayakers’ whereabouts is asked to contact CCSO at 775-887-2008.

James Martin 

Martin is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 200 pounds and 59 years old. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

White is 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 220 pounds and 52 years old. He has blonde hair and green eyes.

“As a general safety reminder, the Carson area experienced a high volume of rain and snowfall this year, and Carson River waters are abnormally high and fast,” officials said. “Please avoid the area.”

In May, the Carson City Fire Department trained for swift water rescue in the Brunswick Canyon area and warned residents about “strainers,” or submerged objects like tree branches that could trap people who entered the current.

“We remain optimistic, but the challenges of people getting into the river without substantial experience really endangers their welfare,” Sheriff Ken Furlong told the Appeal on Wednesday.

By Thursday afternoon, the men had not been found, according to Furlong.

“The search area is huge that goes from Deer Run Bridge to past Dayton,” he said. “Follow up targeted drone searches were being done today (Thursday). The case has been moved to Investigations due to the complexity of search and resources. Once drones complete tasks today, active searches will be ended.”

Furlong said some items located in the vicinity were of interest, “but could not be confirmed that they came from our missing persons.”