Stricken children sob on California beach after boy, 15, went for night time swim off pier and vanished
Children comforted each other after their 15-year-old friend disappeared during a nighttime swim in Huntington Beach on Sunday night.
Authorities said two swimmers entered the water at Lifeguard Tower 11, south of Huntington Beach Pier, but only one returned.
Witnesses said the waves rose quickly and became higher, sweeping the boy away.
The U.S. Coast Guard said Monday night it had called off the search for the boy. Authorities did not release his name.
Children were seen comforting each other after their 15-year-old friend disappeared during a nighttime swim in Huntington Beach on Sunday night
The U.S. Coast Guard said Monday evening that it had suspended the search for the boy, whose name has not been released by authorities.
“The decision to cease an active search is never easy and is only made after exhaustive efforts to locate the missing person,” said Capt. Stacey Crecy, per ABC7.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Friends of the teen, a soon-to-be sophomore in high school, joined the search and spoke to local media.
Love Che-Howell, one of the teen’s friends, told ABC: “It’s quite heartbreaking because he was one of my really good friends.
Witnesses said the waves rose quickly and became larger, sweeping the boy away
“We just got here and started looking for him on the beach, and we saw cars everywhere. There were helicopters. The whole ocean was lit up. There were lights shining everywhere.”
A small boat crew and a helicopter were sent out to search.
According to the Coast Guard, waves were about 90 to 150 centimeters high on Sunday and there were strong rip currents throughout Sunday.