Fears grow for kayaker missing after accident on swollen Ecuador river
ACardiff university kayaker is believed to be missing after losing control in strong currents in Ecuador.
Two men, Irish kayakers David Higgins, 26, and Alexander MacGourty, 19, have been confirmed by the Ecuadorean authorities to have died when the group of five lost control in flash floods on the Rio Albanico in the Ecuadorean jungle on Saturday.
Two men – local guide Joaquin Meneses, 18, and American Jeremiath Stewart – both survived.
Both Mr Meneses and Mr Higgins were both initially reported as missing but while the Ecuadorean guide was found alive late on Monday, telling rescuers he had survived by eating insects and naranjillo (edible plants), local newspaper El Universo reported that the body of Mr Higgins had been found on Monday night.
Franklin Puente, the governor of Morona Santiago province, confirmed that Adam Nicholas Vaughan – who is understood to be a former vice president of Cardiff University kayak club – was the missing man.
At a press conference, El Comercio newspaper reported that Mr Meneses described the conditions on the river as “crazy”.
He said: “The flow of that river was so strong that getting out of the kayak was practically facing death. In the canyons there were rapids with waves and hollows of metres of height. Being there was crazy.”
Mr Meneses said all of the kayakers were very experienced but that the high water levels had made the river very powerful.
More than 100 rescuers have been reported to be involved in the search for survivors.
The rescue, which is being coordinated by a joint committee with the support of an Army helicopter, involves firefighters, Red Cross, police, armed forces, park rangers and the local kayak club.
Cardiff University kayakers group were left fearing the worst.
In a statement on Facebook they issued a tribute describing him as a “fantastic teacher, inspiration and vice president”.
Cardiff University Students’ Union and Cardiff University Kayak Club later issued a joint statement on Tuesday morning.
They said Adam became a member of the Cardiff University Kayakers in 2013 and shared his enthusiasm for the sport with his fellow kayakers, including undertaking the role of vice president of the club.
A spokesman for the club said: “Adam was an inspirational and patient teacher, who embodied the spirit of adventure.
“He has made a long-lasting positive impact on the club.
“Our thoughts are with Adam’s family and friends as well as the family and friends of the other individuals involved.”
Ben Longhust, senior assistant manager at Cardiff International White Water, where Adam worked as a freelance raft guide, said: “The whole team at CIWW have been saddened and shocked by the news from Ecuador.
“Adam was a highly respected and much-loved freelance raft guide, kayak instructor, and a friend to all of the team at CIWW.
“He was an inspiration to many at the centre, spending the off-season and any spare time adventuring and living life to the full. Our thoughts are with Adam’s family and friends at this tragic time.”
Dominique Kennedy, the honorary Irish consul based in Ecuador, told The Irish Independent the return of Mr Meneses meant there could be still be some hope in the search for Mr Vaughan.
“He was found along the river bank. He had been walking for about 40 hours,” she said.
Sligo Kayak Club, where Mr McGourty was a trainee instructor, said he “died while fulfilling his dreams”.
In a statement posted on Facebook the club said they believed the whole team had been caught up in the flood.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of club member and trainee instructor Alex McGourty. Alex tragically died while fulfilling his dreams, kayaking in Ecuador,” it said. “The club would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Alex’s parents Frankie and Eilish, his family and his friends.”
In a self-written post on the British Universities Kayaking Expedition, Mr Vaughan wrote that he studied Spanish at Cardiff University and began kayaking when he was 11 years old.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We are assisting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Ecuador and are in contact with the Ecuadorean authorities.”