ALTAVISTA (WSLS10) - UPDATE: Emergency crews have found the body of a missing boater in the Staunton River. Sgt. Roger Nipper of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries tells WSLS 10 they found 61-year old John Wayne Martin's body about 10:00AM Tuesday. He was located just upstream from where authorities found his boat on Sunday. Nipper says the water level in the Staunton River dropped dramatically overnight which helped them find the body, which was transported to the Medical Examiner in Roanoke.
Atlatvista (WSLS10) - The search continues for a boater who went missing Saturday evening in the Staunton River near Altavista. He has been identified as John Wayne Martin, 61.
Outreach Director for Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Lee Walker, tells WSLS 10 the search is now in recovery mode, meaning they believe the man is dead and are now looking for his body and items that belong to him. The man's boat was found over the weekend. Walker says a witness also saw a hat floating in the river on Saturday.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Altavista Fire and EMS, Altavista Police Department, Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Officer and Virginia State Police are all assisting with the search.
Stay with WSLS 10 for the latest on this developing story.