Weinbach (dpa/lhe) – An abandoned canoe on the Lahn near Weinbach-Fürfurt in central Hesse triggered a major search operation on Wednesday evening. Only when a witness pointed out two mud-soiled but otherwise healthy young men on the riverbank gave the all-clear, the police said on Thursday. Firefighters had previously pulled the empty boat ashore. According to the police, the helpers found personal belongings from allegedly capsized canoeists in the canoe, which was almost completely full of water.
A search was started on the Lahn, but without success. Eventually police officers were able to locate a witness who said he had been approached by two men who were very dirty and soaked by the river. They said the canoe had capsized and asked for his cell phone to call a taxi. The two occupants of the canoe were finally found safe and sound in Weilburg.
