Teen canoeist found safe, but "nobody should be putting canoes in rivers"



OZAUKEE CO. (WITI) -- A Cedarburg teen who went missing after canoeing alone on the Milwaukee River on Wednesday, April 16th was found alive Thursday morning. But officials insist, "nobody should be putting canoes in rivers anywhere in southeast Wisconsin right now."

The 17-year-old boy was reported missing after canoeing on the Milwaukee River. He was found in Ozaukee County, about a mile-and-a-half down the river from where he started.

Joe Jerich with the DNR was the first person to come across the missing canoer.

“I think he was glad to see us. He was very cold. You know he is a 17-year-old kid,” said Jerich.

One of the DNR’s airplanes circling overhead was able to find the canoe Thursday morning and then direct Jerich to the teen who was asleep in his tent in the woods.

“It was a relief a lot of times these situations don`t have good outcomes particularly when you have swift water type things,” said Jerich.

The search was extensive. Crews started Wednesday night in Grafton. They were told by the teen’s family he entered the river near Lime Kiln Park. They followed the river all through Mequon and found him near Lakefield Road and Riverbed Road.

Not only was it a dangerous situation for the now rescued 17-year-old, officials said it was risky for those looking for him.

“It's just so much area to cover! And it is so inaccessible. These guys were taking a beating back here. As soon as we get close to the river, the water is rushing and it`s dangerous,” said Grafton Fire Chief Bill Rice. “If something would have happened back in the woods to one of our personnel, it would have been very difficult for us to find them, and then to get help to them.”



Rice said one firefighter was hurt while walking through the woods, but that was the only injury and it appeared to be a minor leg injury.

Crews started their search Wednesday night, working through the dark and the cold.

“In the evening we used a camera which detects heat. Given the thickness of the cedar trees and the fact that he was in the tent in addition, it just did not pick him up. It picked up many other things. We sent officers in on deer, all kinds of things last night, but they didn't find him,” said Jerich.

Officials said at one point they were able to talk to the young man on his cell phone Wednesday night. But when the battery got low, they told him to turn it off.

“We did use some technology to find out where that phone was and it narrowed it down to that area close but on the other side of the river,” explained Rice.

Rice said although they are happy with the outcome, he warns others from trying to canoe in the Milwaukee River, especially this time of year.

“He went into swollen Milwaukee River which is running very high and very fast. It was not a good idea at all. No one should be putting canoes in rivers anywhere in southeastern Wisconsin right now,” said Rice.

“It was not a good idea to go canoeing in the conditions that we had right now. He did make a good decision by setting up a camp and getting in that tent,” said Jerich.

The teen was taken to a hospital for evaluation. But rescuers say he appeared to be in good condition.