Kelso man presumed drowned in Lewis River

A Kelso man is missing and presumed drowned after his kayak overturned Saturday in the North Fork of the Lewis River above Woodland.

Thadius M. Roberts, 32, was salmon fishing with friends from their kayaks near the Cedar Creek boat ramp on Etna Road, Clark County sheriff’s Sgt. Fred Neiman said.

Roberts became separated and was first noticed missing about dusk. Roberts’ companions reported him missing to 911 about 10 p.m.

Sheriff’s deputies, the sheriff’s Marine Patrol and Clark County Fire & Rescue searched the river and shoreline for Roberts on Saturday and found his kayak was floating about 3/4 of a mile downstream. The search continued until early Sunday.

The search resumed later Sunday and continued for most of the day, Neiman said.

Roberts was wearing a dark wool jacket, camouflage rain pants and a brown hat.

Additional search efforts are pending.

Roberts was not wearing a personal flotation device, although he had one onboard. The life jacket was recovered with the kayak, Neiman said.