UPPER SANDUSKY — A New Bloomington man drowned Wednesday while kayaking on the Sandusky River, according to officials. 

William ”Mike” Shanaberger, 47, was found submerged under his overturned kayak around State Rt. 103, near the east bank, according to the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office. 

Mr. Shanaberger’s daughter reported to the sheriff’s office Wednesday evening her father had been dropped off at the Harrison Smith Park, Upper Sandusky, where he went to kayak north to a family-owned property near McMutchenville in Seneca County. Mr. Shanaberger’s vehicle was left at the location, and it was still there around 9 p.m., the daughter reported to the sheriff’s office.

The daughter also reported the last correspondence from her father was around 3 p.m., and Mr. Shanaberger said he was in the area of the river that crosses underneath County Highway 37, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies were dispatched to the area of County Highway 37 and County Highway 29 in Tymochtee Township, where they began the sheriff, the sheriff’s office reported. About 11:30 p.m., the capsized kayak was located by deputies and a local resident who was assisting. 

The Wyandot County Coroner Dr. Joseph Sberna was called to the scene and ruled the death to be an accidental drowning, the sheriff’s office reported. 

First Published March 9, 2017, 12:39 p.m.