Two canoeists were found dead after setting out on a midnight trip on California's Tomales Bay, prompting an investigation by the Marin County Sheriff's Office. The two individuals, who had been camping along the bay, were reported missing when they failed to return the following morning.
According to officials, the pair had been in a canoe shortly before midnight on Saturday, and it was only when they did not return that their camping party alerted emergency services via 9-1-1. First responders immediately initiated a search-and-rescue operation, which led to the discovery of the two unresponsive individuals.
One of the victims has been identified as Casey Flynn Melia, a 36-year-old San Francisco resident. The official cause and manner of death remain pending, awaiting the final findings of a joint investigation conducted by the Marin County Sheriff's Office, the US Coast Guard, and the National Park Service.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials have not released further details at this time. Nighttime kayaking has become increasingly popular in the Point Reyes area, with visitors taking to the water after dark to see the bioluminescent plankton that creates a blue-green glow in the water. However, officials warn that kayaking after dark requires extra caution and additional safety measures.
The deaths come amid other recent tragedies involving visitors to national parks and remote wilderness areas.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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