Update 11 a.m. Sunday: The rescue mission has transitioned to a recovery effort, according to VBPD. The condition of the male taken to the hospital after washing ashore is unknown.
Original story:
One male is in critical condition after washing ashore at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Saturday night, and two others are feared drowned, police said.
Around 8:25 p.m., first responders got a call about three people who were in the ocean near 16th Street, who were "struggling to make it to shore."
Watch: EMS gives timeline, details response to missing swimmers
When first responders got to the scene, they found one of the males washed ashore. They began CPR and took him to the hospital in critical condition.
As of 10:40 p.m. Saturday, authorities said Virginia Beach police and fire crews along with the Coast Guard were looking for two others who were missing.
Helicopters, fire department drones, and marine response were deployed as hundreds of onlookers gathered on the boardwalk.
Police did not immediately provide ages or descriptions of the people involved.
There is a heavy presence of emergency responders at the oceanfront this evening, searching for two possible drowning victims off of 16th street. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/Lj5UvpMrri
— Virginia Beach Police Department (@VBPD) September 22, 2024
Virginia Beach Ocean Rescue had its red flags flying Saturday morning and said they would be up throughout the weekend.
"Please stay out of the water," they wrote on social media. "Water is dangerous with severe rip currents."
This is a developing story. Stay with News 3 for updated details.
