News

UPDATE:
Part of a missing 21-year-old Blue Lake man’s canoe was found today on the shoreline north of Elk Head, according to a Facebook post by his father.

Hunter Nathaniel Lewis is believed to have entered the ocean with his canoe in Trinidad Harbor between 10 a.m. and noon Dec. 30 and hasn’t been seen since. Corey Lewis posted to Facebook earlier today that due to the discover of half his son’s canoe, the multi-agency search effort’s focus was shifting to the area north of Elk Head.

Anyone who saw Lewis in the Trinidad area yesterday or has any information regarding his current whereabouts is asked to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251.

PREVIOUSLY:
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has launched a search and rescue effort for a 21-year-old Blue Lake man after he failed to return from the Trinidad area yesterday afternoon.

Officials believe Hunter Nathaniel Lewis may have entered the ocean in his canoe near Trinidad Harbor sometime between 10 a.m. and noon yesterday. A search of the harbor and surrounding areas was conducted through the night and continues today.

Multiple agencies are aiding the search, including the Sheriff's Search and Rescue Posse, the U.S. Coast Guard and California State Parks, with a Coast Guard helicopter and boats also assisting. Hunter Lewis is described as a white male, standing approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing 135 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He is believed to be wearing a dark-colored wetsuit and his canoe is described as being 15 feet long with a green exterior and made of fiberglass.

Anyone who saw Lewis in the Trinidad area yesterday or has any information regarding his current whereabouts is asked to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251.

See the full press release below:

A search and rescue for a 21-year-old Blue Lake man is currently underway in the Trinidad area.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Hunter Nathaniel Lewis who failed to return home from recreating in Trinidad yesterday afternoon. Lewis is believed to have possibly entered the ocean in his canoe near the Trinidad Harbor sometime between 10 a.m. and noon, December 30.

A search of Trinidad Head and the surrounding water was conducted during the night, with negative results. Search efforts continue today.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Special Services deputies, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Posse, the United States Coast Guard and California State Parks are currently searching the surrounding beaches and ocean for any sign of Lewis. Search crews are utilizing a Coast Guard helicopter, the Coast Guard Cutter and small boats, in addition to searching on foot.

Hunter Lewis is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, 135 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He is believed to be wearing a dark-colored wet suit.

Lewis’ canoe is described as a 15-foot fiberglass canoe with a green exterior.

Anyone who saw Lewis in the Trinidad area yesterday or has any information regarding his current whereabouts is urged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251.