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Joined: Oct 1999
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Marty Offline OP
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Authorities are on the lookout this morning for a snorkeler who went missing since yesterday, April 29, 2014. According to police reports, American citizen Bradley Evans Josker reported his friend missing at 8:00p.m.

Bradley stated to San Pedro Police that around 12.00p.m., yesterday, he and his friend 29-year-old Wrangler Shane Leesman (also an American citizen) went kayaking and upon reaching close to the reef they noticed the water was getting rough and decided to return. On their way back a wave hit them, causing their kayak to overturn. Bradley indicated that he tried to swim towards shore but was unable to because the current kept pulling him over the reef. Bradley was later rescued by the Belize Coast Guard who then set to searched the area for Wrangler. Their efforts were futile up until the late hours of the night.

Wrangler Shane Leesman is of Caucasian decent, 5'8" in height, weights about 170lbs has a sleeve tattoo on his arm and was last seen wearing only a white swim shorts.

CLICK HERE for the rest of the story in the Ambergris Today

Breaking News: American Citizen lost at sea

Bradley Evans Josker stated that around 12.00p.m., he and his friend 29-year-old Wrangler Shane Leesman also an American citizen went kayaking and upon reaching close to the reef they noticed the water was getting rough and decided to return.

Upon doing so a wave hit them causing their kayak to overturn. Bradley Josker stated that they tried for about 10 minutes to get back on the kayak but were unsuccessful, another wave then hit them causing them to drift apart and that was the last time he saw his friend. Bradley Josker tried to swim towards shore but was unable to because the current kept pulling him over the reef. Bradley was later rescued by the Belize Coast Guard; they also searched the area for Wrangler; however, it was unsuccessful.

Click here for the rest of the story in the San Pedro Sun

Joined: Nov 2000
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Any hope Wrangler was wearing a life jacket? frown


A fish and a bird can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,160
P
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Doesn't sound good ".............and was last seen wearing only a white swim shorts."


Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,520
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and my guests wonder why I deny the reef to them in our sea kayak...hope upon hope for the young man.

Joined: Mar 2003
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P
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Hope happened before. Ask Eric. Washed out Hol Chan in the afternoon and washed back onto Caye Caulker the next morning.

Joined: May 2011
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indeed I seem to recall a recent overnighter for a Caulker fisherman over the reef not too long ago, j'espere...

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 395
B
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B
Any idea where this mishap occurred? Report doesn't mention north or south. Just curious.

Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
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Belize Coast Guard continue their search for US Soldier missing at sea

Authorities in Belize continue their search for an American soldier who is missing at sea off the coast of Ambergris Caye. The missing person is 29-year-old Wrangler Shane Leesman,US Army Ranger, originally from Austin Texas, USA. The search is being conducted by members of the Belize Coast Guard, Belize Defense Force and volunteer residents from San Pedro Town.

According to a preliminary police report, sometime around midday on Tuesday April 29th, Bradley Evans Josker, Corporal in the US Army, and his companion Wrangler Shane Leesman went out at sea onboard a small kayak when they flipped over near the reef. An American woman, who saw the incident unfold from the beach, reported the incident to the Belize Coast Guard later that day which triggered a search and rescue operation. Later that evening, at about 5PM, Josker and the kayak were found by Coast Guard Officials during the first phase of the search and rescue operation.

Leading the search and rescue operation is Belize Coast Guard Chief Kent Flores, who said that search and rescue efforts are going into day two and their operation has increased. "We continue to search. During the early stage of the search and rescue operation, we concentrated efforts in the direct area, however due to the weather conditions at sea, we have to increase the search area," said Flores.

According to Belize Chief Meteorological Officer Dennis Gonguez, at the time of the incident, there was a small craft caution and kayaks should not have been venturing into open seas under those conditions. Waves outside the reef were estimated at over 15 feet and have been constant over the past 36 hours. In fact Gonguez said that wind speed has been at a constant 16 to 17 miles per hour with gusts of up to 27 miles, which poses serious challenges for search and rescue operations by water. "The chances of survival in these conditions are very unlikely for a normal person but because he is physically fit, it increases his chances of survival by a bit. In those open waters, he is facing very strong current and constant battering from the high waves," explained Gonguez. According to the meteorological officer, given the weather conditions, search efforts should be concentrated in a 10 miles radius from the point of where the incident occurred.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun


Joined: May 2014
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J
This is a good friend of mine. We are worried back here in the states. Do you guys have any updated on the search? or information?

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 342
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Sorry no news yet, the sea is still very rough. The search is continuing. We are all hoping he will be found safe.


If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns.
A bullet fired,cannot be called back.
A.C.G.C.
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