Coast Guard searching for missing man

OREGON INLET, NC (WWAY) — The Coast Guard is searching for an 38-year-old man east of the Bonner Bridge in Oregon Inlet.

Officials say Kristopher Mueller of Avon was last seen spear fishing in the vicinity of the Bonner Bridge. Watchstanders were notified at 5:30 Saturday night after Mueller had not been seen for more than an hour.

Crews found Mueller’s vehicle by the National Park Service.  Personnel from Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet also found the kayak with fish, a life jacket and a cell phone still aboard as well as snorkeling gear on shore nearby.

Searching for Mueller are:

• A C-130 Hercules airplane crew and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City
• A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew and a 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Station Oregon Inlet
• The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Beluga, which is homeported in Virginia Beach, Virginia