One of the kayakers rescued Saturday night from the ocean by the mouth of the river Þjórsá, South Iceland, has died, according to RÚV. His death was announced by the South Iceland Police on Sunday. He was an Icelandic male in his forties. The kayaker who survived is a French citizen, who is recovering after the accident.
Rescue teams from South Iceland and Vestmannaeyjar islands, in addition to seven specially trained rescue workers from the capital area and two Icelandic Coast Guard helicopters, took part in the search for the two kayakers. When rescue workers arrived at the scene, the kayaks could be seen, capsized, east of the mouth of the river. One of the kayakers was in cell phone contact with rescuers during the search.
Drones were used in the search. One of the kayakers was retrieved from the water by the crew of one of the helicopters around 10:30 pm and the other one by the crew of the second helicopter ten minutes later. Conditions were difficult at the site; poor weather and high waves.
The South Iceland Police Department is investigating the cause of the accident.
