Coastguard hunts missing US marine, 26, who vanished while swimming at Puerto Rico beach – just hours after American tourist died while trying to rescue his children from dangerous surf
The Coast Guard is desperately searching for a U.S. Marine who disappeared while swimming at a beach in Puerto Rico.
Samuel Wanjiru, 26, was swept out to sea at La Pared beach in Luquillo on Wednesday.
The rescue mission was launched just hours after another American tourist died while trying to save his children from dangerous surf.
The father, who has not been publicly identified, managed to save his teenage daughters before succumbing to the strong current in the water. Montones Beach in Isabela.
Wanjiru, from Worcester, Massachusetts, was standing on a reef when a huge wave knocked him into the water around 4 p.m.
The Coast Guard is desperately searching for a U.S. Marine who disappeared while swimming at a beach in Puerto Rico
Samuel Wanjiru, 26, was swept out to sea on La Pared beach in Luquillo on Wednesday
The rescue mission was launched just hours after another American tourist died while trying to save his children from dangerous surf
The father was plucked unconscious from the water at Montones Beach in Isabela before being pronounced dead
Video shows rescuers in helicopters and on jet skis frantically searching the area where the Marine was last seen.
It comes after officials in Puerto Rico warned that currents are currently particularly strong, with waves reaching up to 3.5 meters in height.
By Thursday, six rescue missions had been launched in just 48 hours.
The surf was so strong that the search for Wanjiru had to be temporarily suspended.
“This month has been deadly when it comes to beach drownings in the Puerto Rico area,” said Capt. Jose E. Díaz, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan.
“People need to realize that the situation is serious enough to limit our ability to respond to surface vessel search and rescue without further endangering our crews and assets.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones to the sea, we hope they find strength during this most difficult time.”
He noted that most beaches in Puerto Rico do not have lifeguards and that conditions are currently “extremely dangerous.”
Video shows rescuers in helicopters and on jet skis frantically searching the area where the Marine was last seen
It comes after officials in Puerto Rico warned that currents are currently particularly strong, with waves reaching up to 3.5 meters in height.
Capt. Jose E. Díaz, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan, urged beachgoers to avoid the coast this weekend
The National Weather Service in San Juan Puerto Rico has issued high surf, small craft and life-threatening rip current advisories for the eastern, northern and western beaches of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands throughout the weekend.
Wanjiru is a Reserve Marine assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 472, Marine Aircraft Group 49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, in Chicopee.
He served as a motor vehicle operator with MWSS-472 and was not on active duty. WCVB reports.
On Wednesday, Coast Guard watchstanders received a 911 call reporting a person in distress in the water in Luquillo, Puerto Rico.
They directed the launch of an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter to conduct the search.
Search efforts continued Thursday with a forward deployed HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft and MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters from Air Station Borinquen.
Multiple Office of Emergency Management offices in the area, the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau and the Puerto Rico Police Department are also actively searching, according to the Coast Guard.
It happened just hours after the American tourist was plucked unconscious from the water and later declared deceased.