Body found in river during search for missing kayaker

30 Jan 2026 • 1:59 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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The body of a man has been recovered from the River Exe in Devon, following a search for a kayaker reported missing last month.

His disappearance sparked a huge emergency service presence near the riverside just after 5.30pm on Saturday, with police officers, firefighters, and ambulance crews seen near the water.

His kayak was subsequently recovered during initial searches.

After days of searching for the missing man, a spokeswoman for Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed on Thursday that a body had been retrieved from the river.

She added: “Formal identification has yet to take place but the family of the missing kayaker – a man in his 40s – has been made aware of this development.”

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