Darkness ends active search for missing swimmer

The water search for a missing swimmer was postponed because of darkness Tuesday night, but Myrtle Beach police were remaining at the scene in case the man appeared.

Myrtle Beach police and search and rescue teams responded to the scene of a reported missing swimmer near the Springmaid Pier on Tuesday night.

At about 6:15 p.m., police responded to a call of a swimmer in distress. A 20-year-old man in a brown shirt was struggling while in the ocean, according to Lt. Christian Sliker with the Myrtle Beach Fire Department.

Another officer said that several people tried to assist, but the swimmer disappeared from sight.

The Myrtle Beach fire department searched the water with Jet Skis and had swimmers in the water. The Coast Guard was also called in to help.

No missing persons reports have been filed and police have no further information about the identity of the swimmer, according to Sgt. Philip Cain with the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

Anyone with information about the missing swimmer is asked to call the Myrtle Beach Police Department at 843-918-1300.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 7:41 PM with the headline "Darkness ends active search for missing swimmer."