Kayaker Missing From Oleta State Park Found Safe

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The search has ended for a Miramar man who rented a kayak at a popular north Dade park and never returned.

The Coast Guard said a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer found 31-year old Vivian Ellis alive and well on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, Ellis rented a kayak from the Blue Moon Rental Center, a kayak rental facility in Oleta River State Park, around 2 p.m. He was scheduled to return it by sunset. When he didn't return by 8 p.m., Blue Moon contacted the Coast Guard.

They, along with officers from Miami Beach, the FWC and park rangers searched the area.

A rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami was launched to search over the mangroves and Intracoastal Waterway.

The FWC has not said where Ellis was located.