NEW YORK – Coast Guard crews are searching for a swimmer who went missing off of Jones Beach, N.Y., at about 8 p.m. today.
The missing swimmer, a 23-year-old male, was swimming with two friends when they were reportedly separated by a large wave.
“The other swimmers made it back to shore and contacted authorities,” said Cmdr. Eric Doucette, Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound’s Chief of Response. “We are working with our local first responders to try and locate the missing swimmer.”
A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Jones Beach, a rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod and a Nassau County Police helicopter crew are currently searching the area. A Nassau County Police marine boat was also launched to conduct searches.
“Even though the air temperature is very warm, the water temperature is still cold. Hypothermia is still a concern for swimmers and boaters, and this can be a particularly dangerous time of year,” said Doucette.
Weather on scene is reported to be four-foot seas and a water temperature of 58 degrees.
