NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Authorities continued searching Thursday afternoon for a 21-year-old swimmer who disappeared Wednesday night in the ocean in North Myrtle Beach.
“Emergency personnel remain actively involved in search efforts both on the beach and in the ocean near 45th Avenue South in North Myrtle Beach,” the city said shortly before noon in a Facebook post. “There is a visible presence of emergency vehicles in the area as crews continue their coordinated efforts. We ask the public to avoid the immediate area if possible and to follow any instructions from First Responders.”
Local authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard began searching for the missing person Wednesday night after getting a report at about 8:30 p.m. that two swimmers, ages 18 and 21, were in distress, North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue said in a Facebook post. Police and fire rescue swimmers immediately entered the water and were able to pull the 18-year-old to the shore.
Crews then searched throughout the evening in the area between 48th Avenue S. and Main Street. North Myrtle Beach Fire Chief Billy Floyd told News13 that a Coast Guard helicopter and on-beach police patrols were out all night…