Search for Missing Swimmer Sunday Proves Unsuccessful

Authorities today ended their efforts to recover the body of a 60-year-old man presumed to have drowned while body surfing in big waves in Dana Point.

Friends and family members reported the man missing off Salt Creek Beach near Tower 2 about 11:35 a.m. Saturday, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

He was visiting from out of town, authorities said. His name has not been released.

Crews searched for him until nightfall Saturday and resumed the search at 6 a.m. today, sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

“Dive teams from Orange County Lifeguards and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department have methodically searched the water but have been unable to locate any sign of the missing swimmer,” Hallock said, adding that sheriff’s Harbor Patrol and U.S. Coast Guard vessels also searched throughout the day.

The effort, which was hampered by poor underwater visibility, was terminated at 6 p.m., Hallock said.

Orange County Lifeguards, sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Coast Guard personnel will continue to make surface observations from the air and ground over the next several days, he said.

The man went missing as huge breakers rolled in from a strong south swell, which was producing 5- to 7-foot waves with powerful shore breaks and strong currents, OC Lifeguards Chief Jason Young said.

The swell was generated by Hurricane Lowell, about 1,000 miles distant.

“Swimmers are encouraged to use caution when coming to the beach in the next several days and only experienced swimmers (and) surfers should enter the water,” Young said.

Lifeguards also recommended that swimmers check with lifeguards before entering the water and to stay near a manned lifeguard tower if possible.

--City News Service

PHOTO Courtesy the Orange County Sheriff’s Department