Authorities Searching for Missing Swimmer who Jumped Off Venice Pier

VENICE, CA - Authorities searched for a 39-year-old man who reportedly jumped off the Venice Beach pier early Saturday morning.

Just before 2:30 a.m., officials received reports that a person had jumped off the pier in the 3000 block of Venice Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

A lifeguard and a witness saw the man leave his things on the pier and dive into the water, authorities said.

Officials identified the man as David Matthew Rose, who was described as a white man, about 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing about 240 pounds.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Los Angeles County Fire Department searched for the missing swimmer by boat, helicopter and rescue divers.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Coast Guard Command Center in San Pedro at (310) 521-3805.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of the LACFD Lifeguard Division