Rescue crews searching for missing swimmer in Myrtle Beach
A swimmer reported missing in the ocean Thursday prompted a search that included the U.S. Coast Guard and efforts by beach-goers.
The swimmer, described as a 14-year-old black male wearing blue swim trunks, was reported missing about 12:30 p.m. in the ocean near 73rd Avenue North in Myrtle Beach.
Police were called to the scene in reference to two distressed swimmers, who were brothers, said Lt. Joey Crosby with Myrtle Beach Police. The younger brother was rescued by a lifeguard, treated and released on the scene. The brothers are from Columbus, Ga.
Georgia Teppert of Pennsylvania said she was boogie-boarding with her nephew when she heard screaming.
Everybody was evacuated from the ocean and we knew there was definitely a tragedy going on.
Georgia Teppert
“My nephew called for one of the lifeguards and people went running,” Teppert said. “Everybody was evacuated from the ocean and we knew there was definitely a tragedy going on. I heard a lifeguard come up who was very distraught because he said he saved the one boy and he couldn’t get the other.”
A human chain was quickly organized to try and rescue the older brother.
“We actually got in a big line and tried to help,” said Lexi May, who’s visiting from Kentucky and took part in the chain. “There were actually four lines. They were all hooked together so they wouldn’t get dragged down by the waves.”
You want to catch them in the net, so to speak.
Lifeguard Nick Jackson
Lifeguard Nick Jackson with John’s Beach Service said he helped organize one of the chains about 35 to 40 minutes after the swimmer went missing.
He said it was one of the longest he had ever seen, at about 75 yards long with around 150 people.
“It serves as a net; you want to catch them in the net, so to speak,” Jackson said. “Lock arms, swipe your feet along the bottom on the hopes that you run into him.”
Jackson said divers were searching the ocean floor where it became too deep for the chain to reach.
Crosby said the boy’s family is in their hotel room and are being updated on the situation.
As of 5:45 p.m. Thursday, boats and Jet Skis being used in the search had been temporarily called back to shore because of lighting. Crosby said officers will remain on the beach, and the use of watercraft equipment will resume once conditions improve.
Christian Boschult, 626-0218, @TSN_Christian
This story was originally published June 16, 2016 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Rescue crews searching for missing swimmer in Myrtle Beach."