Sheriff: Search Ends For Missing Swimmer Off Sandy Hook Beach
SANDY HOOK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The search for a swimmer who went missing off Sandy Hook Beach Wednesday night has ended, the Monmouth County Sherriff's Office said.
The man was not found.
Earlier Thursday, a state police helicopter was in the air for hours while Monmouth County divers took to the water looking for the 25-year-old man who disappeared in the surf around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The search had transitioned from a rescue to a recovery effort.
"We're in a tough situation here," said Pete McCarthy with the Gateway National Recreation Area.
Officials say the young man was swimming with his girlfriend in an unprotected area that is always off limits to swimming because of the endangered species there.
Lifeguards at the nearest protected area were done for the day. Guards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Other lifeguards working at a nearby event scrambled to help the search Wednesday night.
As the search continues Thursday, people were back on the beach, but news of the missing swimmer was a sad reminder about staying safe in the water.
"This time of year, there are rip currents all over the Jersey shore so you've got to be careful," beachgoer Rod Felice told CBS2's Sonia Rincon. "Most the time, lifeguards will keep you out of the water or move you to a different spot if the area's bad."
"If someone goes out too far, they blow the whistle," beachgoer Rose Russ said. "I've seen them come out just to get someone who wasn't listening to them to get them to come in closer. They are on top of their job."
Russ said the rip currents lately have been especially bad.
"This whole summer's been really rough," she said. "It's exhausting. You have to be a good swimmer."
McCarthy said you should only be swimming in a protected area.
"No matter what your swimming ability is, you always need someone there to look out for what's going on," he said.
The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, New Jersey State Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, the NYPD Aviation Unit and personnel from Middletown, Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Seabright had all assisted in the search.
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