California Guard uses drone to search for missing teacher

SAN FRANCISCO — The California National Guard is using a drone to search El Dorado National Forest for a missing San Francisco teacher, marking the first time the Guard has used a drone for a search-and-rescue mission.

The drone will collect images in real time, allowing searchers on the ground to make faster, more informed decisions about where to concentrate their efforts, said Capt. Will Martin, a spokesman for the California Guard.

The Guard has previously used the drone to support firefighting efforts in 2013 at Yosemite National Park.

"For the purpose of collecting imagery, it's unrivaled," Martin said of drone technology.

The search for Edward Kavanaugh, 45, has intensified in the 12 days since he went missing. Kavanaugh was last seen July 17 driving a motorcycle on a trail through El Dorado County, about three hours east of the San Francisco Bay Area. He was with another driver before cruising off on his own.

Kavanaugh is a popular veteran teacher who works for San Francisco Unified School District.

Martin said the drone has yet to provide any new leads in Kavanaugh's disappearance.

Officials have gathered more than 50 volunteers to help sweep El Dorado and neighboring counties by foot, car and helicopter.

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