2 bodies recovered after kayak flips on Lake Manatee

2 bodies recovered after kayak flips on Lake Manatee

MANATEE -- Florida Wildlife Commission officials confirmed at 5 p.m. Saturday three kayakers were on a kayak when it flipped over just after noon on Lake Manatee.

A Good Samaritan on the water picked up and brought one kayaker to shore, according to a report by Bay News 9.

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office Dive Unit participated in the search along with FWC officials.

At 4:32 p.m., officials reported two bodies were recovered from Lake Manatee during the search for the two missing kayakers, according to Bay News 9.

The identities of the dead men have not been released as next of kin have yet to be notified.

The search began at 2:06 p.m. with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officials working with Manatee County emergency personnel.

Officials on scene say the men kayaking in Lake Manatee State Park were not wearing life vests at the time the kayak flipped, according to Bay News 9.

Dave Bristow of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said the FWC is the lead investigator on the case because it is considered a boating incident.

FWC officer James Boogaerts said no other information could be released Saturday on the ongoing investigation. He said he did not know what caused the kayak to tip or what the water conditions were.

This story was originally published April 30, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "2 bodies recovered after kayak flips on Lake Manatee ."