Tournament co-angler went missing after boat accident last week
The body of Costa FLW Series co-angler Nik Kaylar was recovered this morning on Lake Okeechobee after the boat in which he was riding last week was involved in an accident during the first day of competition, FLW Outdoors announced.
The driver of the boat, Bill Kisiah of Slidell, was rescued late Jan. 4. The last report on Kisiah’s condition is that he was recovering in a hospital.
Kisiah and Kaylar went missing after failing to report to the weigh-in of the tournament, and a full-blown search was mounted. The rest of the FLW Series stop was canceled after the incident.
Numerous agencies including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the United States Coast Guard, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office and the Okeechobee Sheriff’s Office were involved in the search for Kaylar.
His body was recovered near Clewiston, Fla., by a commercial fisherman, according to a statement released by the FFWCC.
Prelimiary information indicates the boat in which Kisiah and Kaylar were riding hit a wave in rough water, and Kaylar was ejected, the agency said.
“Our prayers are with Nik’s family during this time of unimaginable tragedy,” said FLW President of Operations Kathy Fennel. “The loss of his life touches the entire fishing community.”
A fund has been set up for Kaylar’s wife and daughter. Click here to contribute.
