SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard rescue aircrews ended their search pending further developments Sunday afternoon for a woman in the northern coast of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
Still missing is an 18-year-old woman, who reportedly was thrown into the water, along with another man Friday afternoon, after they were struck by a wave while walking on the rocks of La Poza del Obispo Beach in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The man was able to safely reach shore.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends on the disappearance of their loved one,” said Captain Eduardo Pino, Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander. “The sea can be very deceiving at times, this is another tragic reminder of the hidden dangers it may present.”
The Coast Guard launched a multi-day search after Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan received a call from a 911 Emergency Services operator notifying the incident Friday afternoon.
Since the search began Friday, Coast Guard rescue crews conducted a total of eight searches aboard Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla and a Coast Guard HU-25 Falcon Jet from Air Station Miami, that was diverted to Puerto Rico from its deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Coast Guard search efforts spanned out approximately 534 square nautical miles throughout the search area. Also involved the search efforts are Puerto Rico State Emergency Management and Puerto Rico Police rescue crews.
