Date/Time of Incident: July 2, 2018
Type of Incident: Missing Kayaker
Summary of Incident:
***UPDATE 3 p.m. July 3, 2018***
Vermont State Police The search iscontinuing this afternoonon Lake Champlain for Eric Plett of Weehawken, New Jersey. Efforts by search and rescue crews have involved boats on the water aided byhelicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Mr. Plett has not been located.
Agencies involved in the search and rescue have included Shelburne Police Department, Shelburne Fire Department, Charlotte Fire & Rescue, the Vermont State Police, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
A subsequent news release will be issued when search efforts end for the day.
***Previous release 7:45 a.m.July 3, 2018***
A New Jersey man is missing after the kayak he was in overturned on Lake Champlain near Shelburne Point on Monday evening, July 2, 2018.
Eric Plett, age 41 of Weehawken, New Jersey was last seen holding onto his overturned yellow kayak in the area of Dunder Rock, off Shelburne Point. Associates of Mr. Plett arrived to the area about 30 minutes later to find both Mr. Plett and his kayak missing.
Rescue crews were dispatched at about7:10 p.m. Mondayand conducted a search of the area but were unable to locate Mr. Plett. The search is resumingTuesday, July 3.
Police have not ruled out the possibility that Mr. Plett was able to make it to shore, but he has not contacted family, and his whereabouts are unknown.
The Vermont State Police and the U.S. Coast Guard are assisting in search and rescue efforts and ask that mariners avoid the search area throughout the day.
Anyone with any information that may assist in this investigation is asked to contact the Shelburne Police Department at 802-985-8051.
STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
Shelburne PDCase Number: 18SH01504
Investigating Officer: Fox