Body found in missing kayaker search on River Usk, Powys

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Caroline Evans reports from the scene at Llangynidr, near Crickhowell

Rescuers searching for a missing kayaker in the River Usk have found a body, Dyfed-Powys Police has said.

A 34-year-old man got into difficulty in the river at Llangynidr, near Crickhowell, shortly before 13:00 GMT on Sunday.

Search teams later found a kayak similar to the one he was using.

A body was discovered at 11:20 GMT in the River Usk after initial attempts to resume the search were hampered by treacherous weather on Monday morning.

A police statement said: "Dyfed Powys Police can confirm that a body has been found during the search for a 34-year-old kayaker who went missing on the River Usk yesterday afternoon.

"The body was discovered shortly before 11.20am in the River Usk.

"The family of the missing kayaker has been informed of the discovery and efforts will now get under way to formally identify the deceased."

Earlier on Monday, Insp Stuart Eckley said officers from a marine unit at Pembrokeshire were being drafted in, along with specialist dogs.

Heavy rain

He thanked the people of Llangynidr for "the excellent support the community has shown to us".

Water levels were high on the River Usk following heavy rain over the weekend.

The Usk burst its banks at Llanfoist, near Abergavenny, on Sunday.

Simon Woodhead, of the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, was one of 45 members searching on Sunday.

He said: "The river was out of its banks and the area the river flows through - particularly the top end - is quite gorgy, so it has very very steep muddy sides and the footpaths, which would normally be at the water's edge, were actually under water.

"Come dark, it was far too dangerous to have personnel in the area so the search was stood down for the evening."

He said willow beds in the area were an added hazard.