Mystery of empty canoe found drifting along river sparks urgent appeal

The Coastguard are urgently trying to trace the owner of a Canadian canoe after the boat was found empty floating along the River Wye. The long canoe was located below the Boat Inn in Chepstow on Tuesday, May 26. Chepstow Coastguard received a call at 6.15pm on Tuesday to reports of the boat drifting along the river but where the boat came from or who it belongs to remains a mystery. They are now urgently searching for the owner to confirm their safety and said it was a "time-critical incident". Paddle Cymru said the boat didn't seem to be a commercial hire boat and local boat hire companies had been contacted. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here . Paddle Cymru shared photos of the canoe on social media. They wrote: "HM Coastguard have recovered a canoe on the River Wye and are urgently trying to trace the owner to confirm their safety. "This is a live, time-critical incident. The canoe does not appear to be a commercial hire boat (no company markings & Hereford Canoe Hire was contacted), so we are asking the wider paddling community to help. "The Coast Guard retrieved it below the Boat Inn at Chepstow before the estuary." A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: "Chepstow Coastguard were called out following reports of a Canadian canoe drifting in the River Wye near Chepstow. "If you are the owner of this Canadian canoe, please contact Milford Haven Rescue Coordination Centre on 01646 690909." Anyone who recognises the boat or may have any information about who it belongs is urged to contact HM Coastguard immediately. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice .