Missing British kayaker found dead after vanishing in Swiss river as tributes paid to ‘incredible human’

Tributes have been paid to British kayaker Bren Orton after he was found dead in a Swiss river.

The 29-year-old kayaker went missing last month after becoming 'trapped underwater' on the Melezza River in the Ticino Region of Switzerland.

Orton, who broke a world record for descending a 128ft high waterfall in a kayak in 2018, 'did not resurface' after getting into an accident and was declared by police to have gone missing at around 2:45pm local time on 16 May.

At the time, a Ticino police spokesman said: "Shortly before 2.45pm in the area of Palagnedra, a man who was previously in a kayak was reported missing in the Melezza river.

"The searches - currently unsuccessful and still ongoing - began immediately and involve agents from the cantonal police and, in support, from the Ascona police as well as rescuers from the Locarnese and Valli Ambulance Service."

Bren Orton's body has been found. (Instagram/@bren.orton)

Now, a body has been found in Lake Maggiore, located between Switzerland and Italy, and authorities confirmed that it was the British kayaker.

Swiss police said: "The alarm was triggered by a sailor who found the body in the water and immediately notified the emergency services.

"Shortly before 1pm in Locarno, the lifeless body of the man who disappeared on 16 May while kayaking in the Melezza was found in the waters of Lake Maggiore."

Since the sad announcement a number of tributes to Bren have come in from his fellow kayakers.

A joint statement from Palm and Pyranha, who make kayaks and equipment, said: "It is with immense sadness that we announce that our friend and ambassador Bren Orton is no longer with us.

"It has been reported that Bren's body was recovered yesterday (30th May) in Lago Maggiore, Italy, following a tragic accident on the nearby River Melezza on the 16th of May.

Bren Orton's body was found, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the kayaking community. (Instagram/@bren.orton)

"The outpouring of love and support from the paddling community since Bren went missing has been extraordinary.

"This support has been a profound source of strength for all of us, especially for his family and close friends. Sending our love to our paddling family at this time."

Former kayaker James Reeves took to Facebook to call Bren an 'incredible human' and 'one of the greatest whitewater kayakers ever'.

He wrote: "Every few years we seem to lose a friend to our sport. Each loss is tough, and this one cuts deep.

“Bren Orton was an incredible human. From his teenage years, his warm smile and friendly nature shone as brightly as his kayaking skills.

"I was privileged to briefly mentor Bren in his early years, and then watched in awe as he rose to became one of the greatest whitewater kayakers ever."