Tragic Discovery: Missing Duck Hunter Found in Waterway
Authorities have made a somber discovery at Thermalito Afterbay in Northern California, where the body of a missing teen duck hunter has been recovered after more than two weeks of searching. Andruw Cornett, 19, was found in the original search area of the large reservoir near Oroville on Tuesday morning around 9:30 a.m. His family has been notified of the heartbreaking news, according to a statement released by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.
Cornett went missing on December 14 while out duck hunting with his younger brother, Wesley Cornett, 17, who has not been found. The tragic incident unfolded when Andruw dialed 911 to report that his brother’s kayak had overturned in the cold and murky water. Despite repeated instructions from dispatchers to stay in his kayak, Andruw bravely dove into the water in a desperate attempt to save Wesley, who was last seen swimming away from the kayak.
Drone Interference Complicates Search Efforts
The discovery of Andruw Cornett’s body was made by a sheriff’s office pilot on Tuesday morning, but the search operation was briefly interrupted when a drone was spotted flying dangerously close to the helicopter. This forced the pilot to land, as the use of drones in the search area posed a safety risk to the search and rescue teams. Despite this setback, authorities have continued their search efforts by air, although the presence of drones has limited their ability to conduct aerial searches effectively.
Challenging Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Since the Cornett brothers went missing, search teams have covered thousands of acres by boat, foot, and raft in their quest to locate the missing siblings. The initial response to the distress call on December 14 was swift, with a sheriff’s deputy arriving on the scene within 15 minutes, accompanied by Cal Fire Water Rescue. The search teams recovered various items belonging to the brothers, including a kayak, paddles, waders, pants, a wallet, and a phone, but Wesley remains unaccounted for.
Heartfelt Tribute to a Hero
In a touching tribute on GoFundMe, April Clark, the boys’ mother, hailed Andruw as a hero for his selfless actions in trying to save his brother. She expressed the family’s deep shock and sorrow over the tragic accident, emphasizing the need to care for their four daughters in the midst of their grief and loss. The community has rallied around the Cornett family in this difficult time, offering support and condolences as they come to terms with this heartbreaking outcome.
