While there was some hope and optimism for the kayaker who was pulled from the water yesterday morning near Cherrystone Inlet, his family has released a statement that he has died.
The Coast Guard responded at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday with a 45-foot response boat from Station Cape Charles and a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City at 9:42 a.m. The helicopter crew located the kayaker close to 11 a.m., and then sent the response boat crew to his position. The kayaker, later identified as Devon Grube, was taken to Northampton County EMS at 11:20 a.m.
Grube was then taken to Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox.
Devon Grube’s family has released the following statement:
“The Grube family would like to extend their gratitude to the community for their interest in our beloved Devon. Thank you to those who showed up to look for him. He was a devoted father and a true professional and a wonderful husband.”
Both Coast Guard crews searched for the kayaker along with assets from the Norfolk Police Department, Chambers Field, Virginia Marine Police and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.