Heartbreaking search
Missing boater's family, friends keep waiting for wordNatalee Seely
Article Photos
BELPRE - Family and friends of missing boater Jeremy Midcap, 20, gathered Tuesday at Access Park in Belpre while rescue workers continued their search of the Ohio River.
Vienna fire Chief Danny Goodwin said a cadaver dog named Oscar was brought in Tuesday afternoon to search the river on a Vienna Volunteer Fire Department rescue boat. The dog picked up a scent near the area where the boat capsized Saturday evening, he said.
Divers from the Wood County Sheriff's Department and Little Hocking Volunteer Fire Department searched the area, but did not find any sign of Midcap. Goodwin said another cadaver dog will arrive today from Grafton Fire Department to continue the search.
Midcap of Parkersburg has been missing since 5:51 p.m. Saturday when an 18- to 19-foot pleasure boat carrying seven passengers capsized midway between the Belpre boat ramp and Blennerhassett Island. Dave Midcap of Parkersburg, the father of the missing boater, was pronounced dead Saturday at Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital after being pulled from the water.
Kathy Byers, a cousin of Jeremy Midcap, was on the boat when it capsized. "We stopped the boat for a minute, and everyone was sitting around talking. The next thing I knew, the boat was filling up with water. Then we all grabbed life jackets and jumped out," Byers said Tuesday at Access Park.
The family has been coming to the park every day since the accident, hoping rescue workers will find a sign of the missing man, Byers said.
"Jeremy was the best person you'll ever meet. He would take the shirt off his back for anyone, and he always made people smile," Byers said. "We've been sitting out here for three days, from morning to night, just waiting. We're getting through it by some kind of hope that he's alive."
Relatives living as far as Charleston joined the family to show support. Hope Jett of Charleston, a cousin of Jeremy Midcap, said he was a country boy at heart.
"We are all just trying to keep the faith but it's hard, especially now that it's the fourth day of searching and they haven't found him," Jett said Tuesday.
Thomas Carpenter, brother-in-law of Jeremy Midcap, said he and other family members have been walking up and down each side of Blennerhassett Island the past two days, looking for any sign of him.
Brandy Midcap, sister of Jeremy Midcap and daughter of the late Dave Midcap, also was on the boat at the time of the accident. "I jumped in the water when the boat turned over, and I grabbed a life jacket floating next to me and swam to shore. I didn't think I was going to make it," she said.
Brandy Midcap is in charge of funeral arrangements for her father. She said Leavitt Funeral Home is waiting one week before finalizing funeral arrangements in case Jeremy Midcap is found.
"We would like father and son to be buried together, if it comes to that," Brandy Midcap said.
The Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter of American Red Cross came to Access Park Monday and Tuesday to provide meals, snacks and water to rescue workers and family members.
Katie Sulfridge, emergency services director with the American Red Cross in Parkersburg, said a lot of people from the community have stopped by the park to give their condolences to family members and drop off meals.
"I think it helps keep the morale up when family members and rescue workers know people are out here supporting them," Sulfridge said.
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mikescarcm2
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06-24-09 10:20 PM
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My heart goes out to the Family and friends Of Jeremy and Dave, Our paryers are with all of you
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jasper
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06-24-09 12:29 PM
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Im not trying to be mean or rude, this is a comment of concern for the family. I dont think they should be sitting river side especially when they find Jeremy. He has been in the water for 5 days now, he is not going to look good at all.. I worry about the family at that point if they see him when they pull him out of the water, especially all those kids down there. Now, Im not saying I wouldnt be doing the same thing if I were in their shoes, Im just saying, I dont think they should see him when they bring him out of the water. My heart goes out to this family and I hope and pray they find him soon so they can have the closure they need right now.
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WVWCFan
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06-24-09 7:16 AM
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My condolences go out to this family. I cannot imagine the heartbreak that they are experiencing at this time. As a boater, it reminds me that an accident truly can happen to anyone at any time.
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