Search Launched In NY For Missing Kayaker From Wisconsin [UPDATED]

VERONA, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say they're searching for a 63-year-old Wisconsin man whose empty kayak has been found on an upstate New York lake.

The U.S. Coast Guard says its Buffalo station received a report around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday of an empty kayak adrift near Sylvan Beach on the eastern end of Oneida Lake. Officials say the man's keys, wallet and cellphone were found inside the kayak. A tent and camping gear were found in the water nearby.

The Coast Guard says the items belonged to a man who was kayaking the Erie Canal. His family says he had planned to travel across New York via the canal and was supposed to meet his sister on Lake Champlain around Labor Day.

Coast Guard boat and air crews along with local agencies are involved in the search.

UPDATE FROM WIBX NEWS- The body of a kayaker missing on Oneida Lake was found near Verona Beach State Park Thursday morning after an active search that lasted over 13 hours.

The Madison County Sheriff's Office says 63-year old Steven Cullen of Milton, Wisconsin was an experienced kayaker.  Cullen's kayak was found late Wednesday afternoon near Old Orchard Road in the Town of Lenox.

His body was taken to the Onondaga County Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.