Divers searched an abandoned strip mine Tuesday in Schuylkill County for a missing person, authorities said.
What began as a rescue mission around 2:15 p.m. evolved into a recovery mission, said Frank Zangari Jr., Girardville fire chief.
“We’re searching for one victim,” a male who was kayaking at the strip mine, he said by phone from the scene.
The incident took place at the A-Hole, a privately owned former strip mine whose address is listed as 701 Main St., Girardville.
Over the years, it gained a reputation as a popular swimming hole.
Schuylkill County Fire Wire reported that a caller reported losing track of a fellow kayaker in the water-filled pit. The missing person, described as a 45-year-old male, was reportedly not wearing a life jacket, the kayaker told authorities.
Water rescue units from Schuylkill Haven and Mahanoy City were called to the scene, Zangari said.
John “Butch” Trout, captain of the Schuylkill Haven Dive Team, said around 5 p.m. that the rescue and recovery unit was on scene.
Divers were still searching the depths of the pit about three hours after the incident was reported.
As of 5:30 p.m., the Schuylkill County Coroner’s office had not been called to the scene.
Source: Berkshire mont