HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.—A teenager who went swimming at Huntington Beach and failed to return was still missing July 30 as the Coast Guard suspended its search.
First responders received a call at about 9 p.m. Sunday about the missing swimmer and began a search with lifeguards in the water, on land, and in the air with a helicopter from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, according to Jennifer Carey, Huntington Beach’s public affairs manager. The Coast Guard also joined the search.
The unidentified teen—believed to be a 15-year-old boy—had gone swimming with another person who got out of the water and realized the teen was missing, Carey said. The location was near Lifeguard Tower 11, which is between Twin Dolphin and Huntington streets.
There were strong rip currents earlier in the day, she said.
The Coast Guard suspended its search Monday at about 8 p.m.
“The decision to suspend an active search is never easy and is only made after exhaustive efforts to find the missing person,” said Capt. Stacey Crecy, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. “Our hearts ache for his family and friends.”
The search spanned from the Bolsa Chica Wetlands to Newport, with crews searching by air and sea for nearly 20 hours, covering approximately 105 square miles, according to the Coast Guard.
