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Search and rescue crews find missing man in river

Kern County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team on Saturday morning found the body of a Kernville man missing since Wednesday in the Kern River at the canyon near Highway 178, Sheriff’s officials said.

Crews have been searching for Mark Steven Roberts, 51, of Kernville, since Wednesday. His vehicle was found Wednesday morning wedged on a rock off an embankment near mile marker 17, empty and in park with the keys missing, according to California Highway Patrol. It did not appear Roberts had been ejected, but to exit the vehicle Roberts would have had to step into the river, officers said.

Search and rescue personnel searched canyon sides and riverbanks, and used probes at the river's edge. A raft was put into the river to search areas less accessible by land.

A Sheriff’s dog led search and rescue crews to the body of Roberts, Sheriff’s Lt. David Barker said. An autopsy is scheduled to determine cause and manner of his death.

-- Californian staff

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