USCG File Photo
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Coast Guard crews located the body of the 12-year old boy who went missing off Packery Channel near Corpus Christi Saturday afternoon.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi were notified at approximately 1:00 p.m., on Saturday that a 12-year old boy who had been swimming with his father was caught in the undertow of the surf and did not resurface.
Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi dispatched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Corpus Christi and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Port Aransas Saturday.
Sector Corpus Christi launched an HU-25 Falcon jet Sunday morning to aid in the search. At approximately 6:30 p.m., the crew of the jet spotted the 12-year old boy face down in the water one mile south of Bob Hall Pier. The body was recovered by the Corpus Christi Police Department and National Park Service Rangers from the Padre Island National Seashore.
The Coast Guard searched approximately 800 square miles in an area north of the Packery Channel to 35 miles south and out to 10 miles offshore.
“It is the mission of the Coast Guard to save lives, and it is unfortunate that we were unable to do so today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this young boy,” said Lt.j.g. Kevin Rothemich, pilot of the HU-25 Falcon jet.
