Search called off for missing New Hampshire resident who fell overboard

The search has been called off for a New Hampshire native who fell overboard in Maine on July 4.

The Coast Guard said 30-year-old Edward Berke fell overboard from a recreational boat in Casco Bay near Clapboard Island in Maine. News 9 has learned that Berke’s family is from Bow.

>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <

The Coast Guard said it received the call around 8 p.m. Thursday. The Coast Guard coordinated a search Thursday and Friday morning, searching nearly 350 square miles, authorities said.

Officials told WMUR sister station WMTW that they found a pair of flip-flops in the water where Berke fell overboard, but nothing else.

“We conduct every search and rescue mission in the hope of bringing missing persons to safety. That’s why stopping any search and rescue operations is one of the hardest decisions I make,” said Captain Matt Baker. “We unfortunately concluded that there was no chance of finding the victim alive.”

According to official information, there were three other people on the boat at the time.

The Coast Guard is asking boaters and kayakers to be on the lookout for anything that may be related to the case.