Deputies search for missing kayaker near Woodland

Deputies from Clark and Cowlitz counties searched for a missing kayaker who fell out of his kayak Sunday on the Columbia River near Woodland.

The man, identified as Mark A. Bunker Jr., 35, of Ariel, had not yet been found.

Dispatchers in Cowlitz County received a 911 call at 6:37 p.m. about the kayaker, who had not resurfaced, according to a Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office new release.

The sheriff’s office responded to the area of Martin’s Bar with a boat and a diver. Deputies also used a drone to search for Bunker. Clark County deputies and U.S. Coast Guard boats responded to help with the search.

“Other fishermen in the area also assisted in the search. Efforts to locate the missing subject were unsuccessful,” the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies spoke with family members and witnesses at the scene where Bunker had been fishing from the bank, before taking out his kayak to fish about 300 yards from shore. He was seen falling out of the kayak as he dropped his line, deputies said.

Bunker reportedly was not wearing a life jacket. He was described as wearing a camouflage shirt, Carhartt jeans and a black hat.

The sheriff’s office continued its search for Bunker on Monday.