Kayaker Who Died Off MDI Identified
Police Ask For Help Locating Another Missing Bar Harbor Man
BAR HARBOR—On Sunday the Maine Department of Marine Resources identified a dead kayaker located in the ocean off Bar Harbor late Saturday as Dr. Dennis Weber of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
According to the Maine Marine Patrol, Dr. Weber’s body was recovered at 10 p.m. Saturday from Frenchman Bay.
“Mr. Webber (sic Dr. Weber) had launched his kayak for a solo trip from a location at the end of Seely Road in Bar Harbor at approximately 4:30 p.m. yesterday,” the Maine Marine Patrol said. “When he failed to return, a family member notified the Bar Harbor Police Department at approximately 8:30 p.m. A search was then initiated involving members of the Maine Marine Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the National Park Service.”
National Park personnel located Dr. Weber near The Thrumcap, which is a small island near Seely Road. Seely Road is off Schooner Head Road behind the Jackson Laboratory.
His kayak has not been found.
“Mr. Webber’s (sic Dr. Weber’s) body has been transported to Jordan Fernald Funeral Home and will be examined by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner’s Office,” the Marine Patrol said.
According to PA2 Diolanda Cabella of the U.S. Coast Guard First District, “Sector Northern New England received a report of an overdue kayaker near Bar Harbor, Maine. Kayaker is a 74 year old wearing a blue shirt, grey pants, blue life jacket, and green kayak and had planned to return prior to sunset.”
“U.S. Coast Guard Station Southwest Harbor launched a 47-foot motor life boat to respond at 8:15 p.m. Maine Marine Patrol and Bar Harbor (Acadia National Park) Park Service responded as well and launched their boats,” Cabella said. “After approximately three hours of searching the man was located in the search area non-responsive at about 10:30 p.m. STA SW Harbor initiated CPR and continued through the transfer to EMS.”
Multiple agencies were involved in the recovery efforts, which had Bar Harbor Fire Department and Police personnel, Maine Marine Patrol, and Acadia National Park all staging at Ells Pier Saturday evening, at approximately 10:30 p.m., which was where Dr. Weber’s body was transported back to land.
Personnel had searched by boat and helicopter before he was found. Dr. Weber was wearing his life jacket and was unresponsive. Resuscitation efforts failed.
“We offer our sincere condolences to the family,” said Capt. Matt Baker, commander of Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. “We are grateful for the dedication of the federal, state, and local agencies who contributed to this search effort."
Dr. Dennis Weber, an obstetrician, had joined the MDI Hospital staff in 1985. At the time, Dr. Winston Steward, head of the hospital’s medical staff said, “We here on the island are glad such a man as Dr. Dennis Weber will be with us.”
That same year, Dr. Weber won two awards from the William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan: best teacher and the Longyear Award, for a graduating resident who typifies professional excellence. In 1994, he opened a practice in Somesville’s Kittredge Building called Bayside Obstetric/Gynecology. He delivered MDI Hospital’s first baby (Keegan Allan Oliver) in its new maternity department in December, 1986.
POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR ANOTHER MISSING MAN
Police are searching for a Bar Harbor man last seen Thursday morning.
Adam Walton, 45, departed his home in his tan 2007 Chevy Malibu at about 9 a.m. and has not been seen since. His license plate number is 280JQD.
Anyone who has seen Walton or has information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Bar Harbor Mount Desert police at 207-288-3391.
That’s terrible. From my interactions with him he seemed like a pretty decent guy