Coast Guard suspends search, says it was just kayakers yelling at each other

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — The U.S. Coast Guard called off a search Wednesday morning, saying the report of a missing person was likely based on two kayakers yelling to one another.

Local police began the search for a possible missing person early Wednesday morning in Black Rock Creek, near the entrance of the Merrimack River in Newburyport.

Coast Guard officials said Salisbury police notified watchstanders at midnight of someone hearing calls for help.
Police said they also reported hearing the cries from shore.

Shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Coast Guard says the reports likely stemmed from two kayakers who were floating about a quarter mile apart and yelling to one another.

A 29-foot response boat crew from the Coast Guard Station Merrimack River and an MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew from Air Station Cape Cod were searching the waters in the area.

This story has been updated.

Cox Media Group