Officials continue search for missing boater

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – It’s been five days since 26-year-old John Myrick went missing after a boating accident on Laurel Lake near the KY 312 city dam.

Several agencies now working together in an effort to find Myrick.

Last Sunday, Myrick and his brother were fishing on Laurel Lake when their boat hit the dam, causing it to fill up with water and capsize.

The brother was able to make to shore, but the search for John continues.

“Right now we’re using sonar,” said Jerry Rains, the Director for the Whitley- Laurel County Emergency Management. “We’re also using an underwater camera and we’re using remote underwater vehicles with sonar and cameras to try to locate anything that we can related to this incident.”

Thursday marked five days since the boating accident. The boat now sunk under more than 30 feet of water.

Agencies were back on the water, but severe weather on Thursday could impact search efforts.

Rains says they have been in contact with the Jackson weather office, who is keeping them updated on the weather.

He adds if starts to rain, they will continue their efforts of searching with sonar.

“If it starts thundering or lighting, then we will have to suspend until that subsides but then we will be back.”

Rains says if they do not find John, efforts will continue.

“We’re going through the weekend and then at that point we’ll reevaluate, but we have a full compliment of equipment coming through the weekend.”

Myrick’s family did not wish to speak on camera, but did say John loved his fiancée, daughter and family. And that any help is greatly appreciated and they will be there everyday until John is found.

Rains asks for people to stay clear of the area while they continue their search.