16-year-old missing after canoe flips in the St. Johns River

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – An extensive search is underway for a 16-year-old who was reported missing Sunday night after a canoe flipped in the St. Johns River, according to News 6 partner WJXT-TV.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call before 8 p.m. on Sunday off of Fruit Cove Road and tweeted an alert shortly after.

The missing teen was last seen wearing black shorts and a white T-shirt, according to deputies.

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“For those on the water in the area of Fruit Cove Road and south, please be aware of your surroundings,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies said the teen was with two other people on the St. Johns River when their canoe overturned. The two individuals were able to swim to shore, but they lost sight and contact with the third person, deputies said.

St. Johns County Fire Rescue, the United States Coast Guard, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Augustine City Fire Department, the St. Augustine Police Department and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are assisting the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office in the search.

“I want to thank our partner agencies for immediately answering the call to assist in finding this missing teen. Please join us in keeping the involved families in your thoughts and prayers as this search continues,” Sheriff Robert Hardwick said.

If you know anything about the teen’s whereabouts or anything linked to the case, please call the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office at 904-824-8304 or by calling 911.