PORT ANGELES — The Coast Guard and local authorities are searching near Freshwater Bay Tuesday for a missing kayaker who failed to return Monday night from his planned trip from Freshwater Bay to Ediz Hook.
31-year-old Matthew Hamilton is reported to be wearing a black and white jacket, blue jeans and boots. He was not wearing a life jacket.
Hamilton began his trip at about 7 p.m. Monday to kayak from Freshwater Bay County Park to Ediz Hook, where his father was planning to pick him up from what was expected to be a three-hour trip. It was reported that Hamilton kayaked this route often and was familiar with the area.
When Hamilton didn’t arrive as expected, Hamilton’s father notified local police, who relayed the situation to Coast Guard Puget Sound at about 2:40 a.m.
A Coast Guard rescue helicopter and a response boat, both out of Port Angeles, launched a search soon after. Responders from Elwha Police Department have also deployed a full rescue team.
Clallam County officials conducted cell phone forensics on Hamilton’s phone and received two pings in the vicinity of lower Elwha River. Members of Hamilton’s family drove to the area, where they discovered Hamilton’s green kayak, his bag clipped to his kayak and his cell phone. There was no sign of Hamilton or his paddle.
His family confirmed that Hamilton’s vehicle is currently parked at the Freshwater Bay boat ramp.
Anyone with additional information regarding the whereabouts of Hamilton are requested to contact Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound at 206-217-6001.
(Photo posted on social media by Hamilton’s mother Sonja Reed.)