thedrifter
07-03-07, 05:44 AM
Divers search for missing Marine
By: DAVE DOWNEY - Staff Writer
OCEANSIDE -- A team of 25 North County divers and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter searched Monday night for a missing 21-year-old Marine who ran into trouble while swimming near the Oceanside Municipal Pier, authorities said.
The search was suspended at nightfall and was expected to resume this morning.
"Our prayers go out to the family," said Oceanside Councilman Jack Feller, who was on the scene. "It's a sad ending to what was supposed to be a happy day for them. ... We hope for a miracle."
Authorities said the 21-year-old man had just relocated to nearby Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base and was enjoying a beach outing Monday with his wife and three members of her immediate family. The couple had just relocated from Pennsylvania, said Oceanside Police Lt. Mike Goldsmith.
At about 5:30 p.m., the Marine was swimming about 50 to 75 yards offshore and several hundred yards north of the pier when it became obvious to lifeguards nearby that he was struggling, according to Oceanside lifeguard Lt. Bill Curtis.
Immediately, three lifeguards leaped into the water and raced toward him, Curtis said. While they were en route, a pair of teenage boys swimming in the area attempted to help the man but were unable to pull him to safety.
"He pulled one of the individuals that were assisting him under," Curtis said.
By the time the lifeguards arrived in the vicinity, the Marine was no longer visible. "The gentleman who was in trouble never resurfaced," Curtis said.
Curtis said the man was swimming in an area where the water depth abruptly plunges from about four or five feet to eight feet.
"What we have here is a pretty big hole with a rip current that pulls out from it," Curtis said.
After the lifeguards were unable to locate the young Marine, divers were called from lifeguard agencies from the cities of Oceanside and Encinitas, Camp Pendleton and the state, Curtis said.
The team fanned out between the pier and jetty, searching for more than two hours before darkness forced cancellation of the search. As nightfall came, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hovered over the site, shining a spotlight on the surf.
"I think we did everything we could do," Feller said.
-- Contact staff writer Dave Downey at (760) 740-5442 or ddowney@nctimes.com.
Ellie
By: DAVE DOWNEY - Staff Writer
OCEANSIDE -- A team of 25 North County divers and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter searched Monday night for a missing 21-year-old Marine who ran into trouble while swimming near the Oceanside Municipal Pier, authorities said.
The search was suspended at nightfall and was expected to resume this morning.
"Our prayers go out to the family," said Oceanside Councilman Jack Feller, who was on the scene. "It's a sad ending to what was supposed to be a happy day for them. ... We hope for a miracle."
Authorities said the 21-year-old man had just relocated to nearby Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base and was enjoying a beach outing Monday with his wife and three members of her immediate family. The couple had just relocated from Pennsylvania, said Oceanside Police Lt. Mike Goldsmith.
At about 5:30 p.m., the Marine was swimming about 50 to 75 yards offshore and several hundred yards north of the pier when it became obvious to lifeguards nearby that he was struggling, according to Oceanside lifeguard Lt. Bill Curtis.
Immediately, three lifeguards leaped into the water and raced toward him, Curtis said. While they were en route, a pair of teenage boys swimming in the area attempted to help the man but were unable to pull him to safety.
"He pulled one of the individuals that were assisting him under," Curtis said.
By the time the lifeguards arrived in the vicinity, the Marine was no longer visible. "The gentleman who was in trouble never resurfaced," Curtis said.
Curtis said the man was swimming in an area where the water depth abruptly plunges from about four or five feet to eight feet.
"What we have here is a pretty big hole with a rip current that pulls out from it," Curtis said.
After the lifeguards were unable to locate the young Marine, divers were called from lifeguard agencies from the cities of Oceanside and Encinitas, Camp Pendleton and the state, Curtis said.
The team fanned out between the pier and jetty, searching for more than two hours before darkness forced cancellation of the search. As nightfall came, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hovered over the site, shining a spotlight on the surf.
"I think we did everything we could do," Feller said.
-- Contact staff writer Dave Downey at (760) 740-5442 or ddowney@nctimes.com.
Ellie