Search Suspended For Missing Wildwood Swimmer At Unguarded Beach

WILDWOOD, NJ — The search for a missing swimmer in Wildwood has been suspended as of Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

At about 4 p.m. Tuesday, the swimmer was seen going underwater and not resurfacing, U.S. Coast Guard officials said. The Wildwood Police Department alerted Coast Guard officials to assist in the search. Officials said that as of Wednesday, the swimmer had not been found, and the search had been suspended.

Four swimmers were reported to be in distress Tuesday afternoon, officials told 6abc News. One swimmer made it out safely and two others were rescued, the report said.

The search continued on Wednesday for the missing swimmer Coast Guard officials said.

A response boat crew from the Cape May station and a helicopter crew from the Atlantic City air station responded along with local responders who "extensively searched" for the missing swimmer, officials said.

"The local response and collaborative efforts of multiple local, state, and private agencies was instrumental in providing maximum coverage of the search area. It is a terribly sad ending and our condolences go out to the family and friends of the young man," Lt. Dan Nelson, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station Cape May, said.

The beach where the swimmers were was unguarded, officials said.

The Coast Guard urged swimmers to swim under the supervision of a lifeguard and familiarize themselves with rip current safety. Rip currents are powerful currents of water that move away from the shore and can sweep even the strongest swimmer away.

"Trying to swim against a rip current will only use up your energy; energy you need to survive and escape the rip current," Coast Guard officials said. The best practice is to swim along the shoreline until you escape the current's pull. Then, when free, swim at an angle away from the current toward the shore, officials said.

Wildwood officials also shared a reminder to avoid swimming at unguarded beaches.

"The bottom line is: NO lifeguards, NO swimming," City of Wildwood officials said.