The Sûreté du Québec is looking for a missing kayaker at Notre-Dame-du-Portage.
Paul Alexander Banko, 41, of the Montreal area, was last seen Thursday afternoon. He had just left the shore of the St. Lawrence River, near the municipality wharf, aboard a turquoise-colored kayak.
According to authorities, who are asking for the public's help in locating him, the man has white skin, brown hair and green eyes, is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. He also has an eye tattoo on his left arm.
Sûreté du Québec information officer Claude Doiron says the search began on Sunday. Our police have started searching along the banks. They also requested the assistance of the Coast Guard, which came on site with a helicopter to search the area.
The Canadian Coast Guard was continuing the search Monday afternoon.
His vehicle was discovered by the police on Sunday at the Notre-Dame-du-Portage wharf.
The Canadian Coast Guard has been flying over the area with a Hercules-type aircraft since Monday morning.
Although disappeared at Notre-Dame-du-Portage, the kayaker could be further east. Clues could be found along the banks in the Rimouski area and even further east of Rimouski, says Claude Doiron.
Anyone with water; information is requested to contact 911.
The investigation, initially led by the Longueuil agglomeration police department, was transferred on Monday to the Sûreté du Québec.
With information from Roxanne Langlois
