ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The 17.5-hour search for a 16-year-old boy missing in the St. Johns River came to a grim end Monday afternoon.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office officials said they found Riley Teixeira’s body around 1:30 p.m.
Crews took to the water and air throughout the night and day looking for him when he was reported missing at 8 p.m. Sunday night.
Officials said he was in a canoe with two others when it flipped over. Two of the boys made it to shore but without Riley.
On the water on Monday, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission crews said three boats towed sonar through the river.
Freedom Boat Club GM Mark Vickers said the water underneath isn’t the easiest to navigate.
“Depending on where you are, there are logs, crab traps, trees, I’m sure there’s some old boats down there for ages. It’s not an easy area of water to search,” Vickers said.
Vickers said a lot of factors come into play during these searches. For one, he said the river isn’t easy to swim in.
“The waves, the wind, the current; all those things add up and it’ll tire you out,” Vickers said.
He said the water temperature this time of the year is dangerous.
“I would not go swimming in this. Hypothermia will kick in real quick,” Vickers said.
Vickers said no matter the size of the boat or the time of the day, everyone should have a life vest on.
“It’s critical to wear those life vests. Kids need to be wearing life vests. If it’s dark, you’re out by yourself, the conditions are bad, you just need to have a life vest on,” Vickers said.
Officials did not release whether or not any of the boys were wearing life vests at the time.
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