BENBROOK, TX—Authorities have temporarily suspended the search for a kayaker who went missing earlier today on Lake Benbrook’s northwest side.
Local photojournalist Michael Beard first reported the incident just before noon, sharing on Facebeook that emergency crews were responding to reports of a flipped kayak. Witnesses stated that an 18-year-old individual went under the water and did not resurface. An additional report indicated that three young males were on a single kayak when strong winds caused it to capsize around 10 am early this morning. One of them, Luke Nickens, swam after a drifting oar but never resurfaced.
A significant police and fire presence, including Texas Game Wardens and crews from both the Benbrook and Fort Worth Fire Departments, was observed near the Baja Beach area. Fort Worth Fire Department’s Dive 7 and Dive 32 teams were actively assisting in the search efforts.
However, at 6:20 p.m. this evening, officials made the difficult decision to pause recovery efforts due to dangerously high winds and rough waters.
Search operations resumed in Wednesday morning when conditions improved. Luke Nickens, 18-year-old Boswell high school senior, body was recovered from Benbrook Lake Wednesday afternoon shortly before 3 pm.
This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.
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