Grand Canyon, Ariz. –A National Park Service Search and Rescue crew was flown into the Canyon early this morning to begin the search for missing river guide, Joshua Tourjee. Tourjee was reported missing on September 12 by his river trip after failing to return to camp the previous evening.
Today, using a Zodiac, crews searched on the water from the point last seen, River Mile 137 (Pancho's Kitchen) to River Mile 148 (Matkat). Tomorrow, two ground crews will search the areas from River Mile 139 (Fishtail) up to Pancho's Kitchen and from River Mile 143 (Kanab Creek) to Fishtail. An additional boat is launching from Lees Ferry to aid in the search efforts and the Zodiac will continue to search high probability areas.
Tourjee is described as a 34 year old male, 5'11", 170 lbs, brown hair and hazel eyes. Tourjee was last seen wearing a lime colored short sleeve shirt and dark colored shorts with an inflatable pool raft. Tourjee is working as a guide for OARS. This morning a commercial river trip reported finding an inflatable pool toy approximately 19 miles downstream from Tourjee's last known location.
The National Park Service is currently conducting a Search and Rescue operation. A missing persons investigation is on-going. No further information is available at this time.Any individual with information on the location of Joshua Tourjee should contact National Park Service Dispatch at 928-638-7805.