Authorities end search for Sitka man missing on kayak trip

SITKA, Alaska – State and federal emergency responders have ended a search for a Sitka man missing on a kayak trip, Alaska State Troopers said.

Kale Pastel, 36, left around 5 a.m. Sunday from Eliason Harbor on a paddling trip to Birdsnest Bay. He did not return and he was reported missing, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard searched by helicopter and boat. A witness later Sunday morning spotted Pastel’s kayak overturned and adrift in Eastern Channel and towed it to Cannon Island.

Searchers looked again for Pastel on Monday but suspended the search shortly before 3:30 p.m.

APastel’s next of kin had been notified that the search had ended, troopers said.