The search for two teenage brothers who vanished during a duck hunting trip on December 14th at California's Thermalito Afterbay has transitioned into a recovery effort. Wesley Cornett, 17, and Andruw Cornett, 19, were last seen when their kayak capsized in the large reservoir. Authorities believe Wesley's kayak overturned, prompting Andruw to bravely enter the water in an attempt to rescue him. Neither has been seen since.
Over 250 personnel from 21 organizations, including the Butte County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) deputies, detectives, aviation and marine units, and search and rescue teams, have been involved in the extensive search. The challenging conditions, including dense weeds in the water, have hampered search efforts. Specialized equipment and divers have been deployed to navigate the difficult terrain.
The brothers' mother, April Clark, has established a GoFundMe page to support the search and eventual funeral expenses. She describes Andruw's attempt to save his brother as heroic and expresses the family's devastation. The family, including four daughters, is struggling to cope with the tragic accident.
Severe weather, including heavy rain and wind, impacted Butte County on the day of the accident, causing power outages for thousands of residents. This added another layer of complexity to the search and rescue operations.
