Authorities recover body of missing canoeist | FOX 51 Gainesville

Authorities recover body of missing canoeist

Deputies with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office joined officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Thursday afternoon in the search for a missing canoeist. 

Authorities said a canoe carrying three people overturned in the St. Johns River near Blue Spring State Park.  Two of the people surfaced and made it to shore, but the third person, a 24-year-old male boater, did not surface.  His body was recovered about four hours later.  

"This is just tragic news. If there's one thing I can say is, wear your life jacket," said FWC spokesman Greg Workman, "especially, if your not a strong swimmer, put your equipment on."

The name of the victim has not been released.