RedactedNarrative: On 06/09/2022 at approximately 0046 hours, I was notified of an overdue kayaker, later identified as Operator. KENTCOM advised me that Operator's boyfriend had called in to report that he had not seen or heard from Operator since 2038 hours. KENTCOM also advised that Operator's vehicle was still parked near the Battery Park boat ramp in New Castle City. Due to impending storms, I responded on land to the command post that was set up near Operator's vehicle. Upon arrival, I made contact with several New Castle City Police Officers as well as the Goodwill Fire Department Chief. I was advised that Operator left to go kayak in the Delaware River at approximately 1600 hours. Boyfriend told New Castle City Police that he recieved a picture of Operator near the Delaware Memorial Bridge at 1700. Boyfriend also stated that he received a second photo of Operator near the bridge at 1908 hours. Along with this photo, Operator had stated that she was "on the other side." It is unclear if Operator meant the North side of the Bridge or closer to New Jersey. At 2038 hours Boyfriend received a text from Operator that her phone only had 10% battery remaining. After all of this information was relayed to me. OFC 2 (New Castle City) advised that he conducted a property check of the surrounding shoreline and this search yielded negative results. At this time, several vessels were underway and the United States Coast Guard was notified. Delaware State Police Trooper 4 was unable to fly due to weather. Vessels searched the area of the Delaware Memorial Bridge along the East and West shorelines with negative results. Wilmington Police Department launched a drone to assist with the search. A USCG helicopter responded to the area as well, but had limited search time due to incoming inclement weather. The drone had come across a point of interest in the area of Lukens Drive. I responded to this area and conducted a brief search on foot which yielded negative results. I had to return to my vehicle due to the lightning in the area. At approximately 0400 hours, all vessels were recalled due to the weather and the search had stopped. 
  
  At approximately 0500 hours, myself, OFC 3 and SGT 4 resumed the search for Operator. We began our search along the New Jersey shoreline approximately 1 mile south of Pea Patch Island. We conducted our search on the East side of the Delaware River moving North to the mouth of the Christina River. At this time we shifted our search to the West side of the Delaware River and began to move South. During this search the USCG advised that Operator had walked into New Castle City Police Department. At this time, we returned to Delaware City Marina and secured MP Bravo. 
  
  I made contact with Boyfriend and he had advised that Operator had been transported to Christiana Hospital for further evaluation. Upon arrival to Christiana Hospital, I made contact with Operator in her room and asked her if she could tell me what had happened. 
  
  Operator stated that she started kayaking around 1600 hours and it was a "smooth trip." She stated that she was aware of sunset and after she had sent Boyfriend the text about her phone dying, she began paddling back towards Battery Park. Operator stated that she had a lot of momentum before her kayak flipped and she does not know if the kayak became unstable due to this momentum or she hit something but she stated that her kayak flipped over. She was unsure where this occurred but she stated that she was South of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. I asked Operator her best guess and she said approximately 0.25 miles away from the bridge. Operator said that she was wearing a life jacket when the kayak flipped. Operator said that when the kayak flipped she lost all of her belongings including her cell phone, purse which included her identification and her glasses. Operator advised that she cannot see well without her glasses. She stated that she started to swim towards shore since she was unable to flip her kayak back over.  It was very difficult and took her a long time to swim to shore due to the current.  Once she got on shore, she began walking in the marsh towards the light.  She stopped walking several times when it began to storm, during which time (0330-0500) she laid down.  She walked towards the road and flagged cars down.  She was picked up by a passerby.  She had minor scrapes and cuts on her arms and legs from walking through the marsh but no major injuries.  Her kayak is still adrift at this time.