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Authorities recover body of missing kayaker at Westmoreland County park

A missing kayaker's body was recovered from Acme Dam in Westmoreland County on Wednesday afternoon.

Several agencies began searching inside Chestnut Ridge Park around 1 p.m. after the man, later identified as 67-year-old David Dirado of New Stanton, supposedly fell out of his kayak into the water and did not resurface.

Dirado was not wearing a life vest at the time of the incident, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson.

Crews had already rescued one kayaker when he told them that another kayaker, his friend, had gone missing.

Multiple divers and boats from Murrysville, Greensburg, and other water rescue teams across the county were in the water searching for the missing kayaker. Drones were also deployed to assist with search efforts.

Jeff Shearer, the Chief of Westmoreland County Park Police, says their department is leading the investigation because Chestnut Ridge Park is under their jurisdiction.

A local fisherman who spoke with KDKA-TV said the water temperature is around the upper-60s for this time of year, and the depths of the lake are roughly four to five feet.

Coroner Carson arrived on scene shortly before 5 p.m. to collect the body. More information is expected to be released on Wednesday night.

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