Troopers using sonar to try to locate paddler who vanished on Table Rock Lake

Missouri State Highway Patrol boats using side-scan sonar  are searching an area near Kimberling City for a missing paddler who vanished after his canoe capsized in strong winds Tuesday evening.

The Southern Stone County Fire Protection District reported that five search boats were called to a location off the point of Commander Lane after two paddlers went into the water when their canoe capsized around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday.  One paddler made it to shore, but the other man could not be located.

During the night, a boat from Western Taney Fire Protection District, two Missouri State Highway Patrol boats and two Southern Stone County Fire Protection District boats used lights to search the water for the missing man.

Sgt. Jason Pace, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said divers were on standby and prepared to go into the water if the troopers' side-scan sonar detects anything significant on the bottom.  He said the area where the man vanished is about 90 feet deep.

"There were witnesses who saw the canoe capsize,"  Pace said. "The witnesses observed the man going under."