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Coast Guard suspends search for missing Virginia Beach swimmer

Posted at 8:54 AM, Aug 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-10 16:16:37-04

This is a graphic of the 214 square miles of combined search patterns conducted by Coast Guard assets Aug. 10, 2019 Police. (U.S. Coast Guard Graphic)

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Coast Guard suspended its search Saturday afternoon for a woman who was reported to have entered the water but was not seen coming out.

The missing swimmer was reported by Virginia Beach Police at around 3:45 a.m. She was reported to have been seen entering the water, but was not seen coming out.

She was reported to be between 20 and 30 years old with blonde hair, and was last seen wearing a pink top and jean shorts.

The Coast Guard launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and fixed-wing Auxiliary air craft from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, along with a 45-foot Response Boat—Medium and 29-foot Response Boat—Small from Coast Guard Station Little Creek, and searched approximately 214 square miles for a combined total of 17 ½ hours.

Crews from the Virginia Beach Police Department, Virginia Beach Fire Department, Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services, Virginia Marine Police and Maritime Incident Response Team also assisted with the search.

“We take reports of missing swimmers very seriously,” said Capt. Sam Stevens, deputy commander of Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads. “We never advise swimming alone, especially at night, due to potentially dangerous water conditions.”

The Coast Guard’s search is suspended, pending the development of new information.

If you have any information, contact the Sector Hampton Roads command center on VHF-FM channel 16 or at (757)-638-6637.