Update: Rescue crews call off search of Columbia River for 75-year-old West Richland man

Dive rescue officials and law enforcement searched the Columbia River and Columbia Point dock area Friday for a West Richland man who went missing.

Reports came in that Loy Vannapho, 75, may have been seen around the dock. Richland police Sgt. Alan Jenkins said they found Vannapho’s abandoned truck, a 2005 gray Toyota Tundra, about 3:20 p.m.

He is diabetic and suffers from memory problems, police said.

Crews from Columbia Basin Dive Rescue and several police departments scoured the river for several hours. The river search was called off about 7:30 p.m., Jenkins said.

“We’re doing everything we can with what we have,” Jenkins said. “A lot of agencies are pitching in bodies to help us.”

Vannapho’s family members came down to the river to unlock the truck and search for any receipts that might indicate where he had gone, Jenkins said.

They also said that the location seems puzzling.

“What we’re getting from the family is that this is really out of character for him,” Jenkins said. “He doesn’t even come down here.”

A plane from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and a wildlife tracker dog were also called in as the search continued.

Vannapho was last seen about 10 a.m. Thursday near 1314 Jadwin Ave. in Richland, police said. He was wearing a white polo shirt, white shorts and flip-flops. A flip-flop, believed to be his, was found near Columbia Point dock.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Richland police at 509-967-3425 or non-emergency dispatch at 509-628-0333.

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This story was originally published August 12, 2016 at 3:30 PM with the headline "Update: Rescue crews call off search of Columbia River for 75-year-old West Richland man."