NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a 17-year old male who was swimming and went missing in Lake Pontchartrain near Pontchartrain Beach, Sunday.
Missing is Bilder Lopez, 17.
At approximately 4 p.m., Saturday, Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report from the New Orleans Police Department that the man went under after jumping off of a pier and did not resurface. The man had been swimming in the area with family throughout the afternoon.
Coast Guard Station New Orleans launched a 45-foot response boat and crew at 4:30 p.m. A 25-foot response boat and crew already in the area was diverted to assist in the search effort. Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans launched an MH-65C dolphin helicopter and crew at approximately 4:45 p.m. to conduct aerial search patterns.
Surface assets remained on scene overnight and throughout the day. A second overflight was conducted at first light.
Also searching were personnel from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and a dive team from the New Orleans Police Department.
The search is suspended pending further developments.
