British extreme kayaker, 29, is missing and presumed drowned in Switzerland after he became ‘stuck underwater’ and sucked from his vessel in a river accident – amid a desperate search for a sportsman

A British extreme kayaker is missing and feared dead after he disappeared into a river in Switzerland after becoming trapped by currents beneath the rushing water, MailOnline announced today.

Bren Orton, 29, ran into trouble on the Melezza River in Switzerland’s Ticino region, with police and specialist search teams hunting for him since he disappeared four days ago.

Bren, who broke a world record in 2018 after kayaking down a terrifying 40-metre waterfall in Mexico, went missing around 2.45pm on Thursday.

The celebrated whitewater kayaker appears to have been dragged into the water by recirculating waves. Police have said he was sucked from his kayak and has not yet been located.

His disappearance was revealed by Pyranha, the British maker of its high-end kayaks.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce an accident involving Bren Orton. While kayaking with a group on the Melezza River in Switzerland, Bren became stuck in a recirculation element and failed to resurface.

Bren, a daredevil who became famous by kayaking down a 100-foot waterfall, was sucked in and held by the waves

Bren Orton, 29, got into trouble on the Melezza River in Switzerland’s Ticino region on Thursday

“Authorities and friends are tirelessly continuing their search efforts, and at this time Bren is considered missing,” the company said.

Police in Switzerland have been looking for Bren since Thursday afternoon. Police in nearby Italy are also said to have assisted in the operation.

Friends and fans fear he has died. But the police have not confirmed this tragic news.

A spokesperson for Ticino police said: ‘Shortly before 2.45pm, a man who had previously been in a kayak was reported missing in the Melezza River in the Palagnedra area.

“The searches – which are currently unsuccessful and are still ongoing – began immediately and involve officers from the Cantonal Police and, in support, from the Ascona Police, as well as rescuers from the Locarnese and Valli Ambulance Service.”

Bren has been an inspiration to kayakers around the world.

His Instagram account has 57,000 followers and he filmed himself kayaking on a river in Italy less than 48 hours before he disappeared.

Mr Orton filmed himself kayaking in Italy (pictured) in the days before the accident

He also shared a video on his popular YouTube channel of himself descending the so-called Devil’s Slide waterfall in Val Sesia.

But it was his daring world record in 2018 that made headlines around the world.

He completed the daring descent of Big Banana Falls in Mexico.

Incredible video footage showed the kayaker in the final thrilling moments at the top of the waterfall before quickly plunging into the abyss below.

The footage started with Orton high-fiving his friends as they wished him the best of luck.

As he rowed off the edge into the water, footage captured the heartbreaking moment he entered the waterfall and fell through the air, surrounded by a torrent of water.

His support team paddled out as quickly as possible to find him.

But seconds later he emerged from the water shortly after his jump, with his relieved team cheering him on.

Bren was famous as a gravedigger before becoming a professional kayaker.

He fell in love with the sport during a primary school trip to the Lake District when he was nine.

He previously said: ‘In the lead up to getting paid to go kayaking, I think I’ve had almost every job possible.

‘I worked in a call center, as a worker on a construction site, in a gym, at the Rijkswatersportscentrum and as a gravedigger. I also did some medical trials to make money.

“I only did the grave digging for a few months, but the medical tests were great, even if a little vague.”