UPDATE: On Friday, an official with VMRC identified the missing man as 58-year-old Keith Thomas Henley of Providence Forge, Virginia, which is in New Kent County. His family has been notified.
Click here for updated information on the search efforts.
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — The search for a missing man who fell overboard in the choppy waters near the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel continued Friday morning.
According to Hampton Battalion Chief Anthony Chittum, a call came in around 12:30 p.m. Thursday about a man who fell overboard. The person was reportedly not wearing a lifejacket when he fell from the boat.
Chittum said the other people on the boat rode over to a nearby marina trying to get help. That’s when Norfolk Fire-Rescue, along with the Coast Guard and the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue, started responding and are searching for the man. He said it’s been an all-hands-on-deck mission, but Thursday’s rainy conditions added another obstacle.
“I ran into several police cars, a marine police boat, then I saw a Navy chopper cruising the beach, and then I figured there’s a water rescue going on,” said Hampton resident Jack Stortz.
As the search expands well into the Chesapeake Bay, Chittum said the number of vessels they have out searching Thursday night would decrease, but the Coast Guard was out through the night using all the tools it has. He said regional crews would continue the search at 8 a.m. Friday.
The man’s identity has not been released by authorities.
“If they can rescue this person, that’d be great, but you know, whatever they find, we’ll have to deal with,” Stortz said, “and just my message is the water is dangerous you have to be careful.”
Chittum said the U.S. Navy provided two helicopters to aid in their search efforts. Virginia Marine Police and the Virginia Department of Wildlife have also been searching.
“People underestimate the water, whether you’re swimming around in it, wading around in it, on a boat,” Stortz said. “It’s a dangerous situation every time I go out.”
