Tragedy struck Virginia Beach during weekend weather conditions that brought rough surf to beaches up and down the East Coast.
Three swimmers were swept out to sea from the beach on Saturday evening, leaving two dead and one found unconscious. It took two days of searching before the two drowned men were eventually found.
Around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, reports came into Coast Guard Sector Virginia that there were three swimmers in distress near 16th Street, close to the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier.
Ten minutes after the initial report came in, the Coast Guard says one of the swimmers was recovered unconscious on the beach. The victim was treated at the scene and taken to the hospital for further care. Two swimmer remained missing.
The Virginia Beach Police and Fire departments and Virginia Marine Resources Commission marine units launched a search alongside the Coast Guard. From Saturday night until midday Sunday, Coast Guard crews including an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, USCG Cutter Pompano and two response boats searched for the two men. The local police and fire departments used marine, land and drone units to help in the search.
At times, rough surf hampered first responders’ efforts.
Unfortunately, the men were not found and the Coast Guard suspended its search at noon Sunday, Sept. 22. They had covered more than 102 square miles during the 14-hour search for the two missing swimmers.
Virginia Beach Police announced that around 7:30 p.m. Monday, a person was found dead in the ocean near the Boardwalk at 16th Street. He has been identified as Sergio Olcot Ajbal, 22, from Chesapeake, Virginia.
Just before 4:30 a..m. Tuesday, police recovered another person’s body from the water. They are awaiting identification of that person.
Police note that the swimmer who was rescued unconscious remains in critical condition at the hospital.
“Our thoughts are with the families and friends [of the victims] during this difficult time,” said Capt. Peggy Britton, commander, Sector Virginia. “The Coast Guard is incredibly grateful for the dedication, expertise, and cooperation of all agencies involved in this search. The teamwork displayed by all involved in these challenging conditions demonstrates the unwavering commitment of working together.”
The water was closed this weekend at Virginia Beach, with double-red flags flying due to rough conditions. Other East Coast beaches experienced emergencies, too. Just north of us in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Coast Guard responded to two search and rescue cases in less than three hours on Saturday. Two pre-teen girls were swept out to sea on surfboards and then two men in distress on inner tubes.
Back in Virginia Beach the city’s website says lifeguard staffing is limited from Labor Day to mid-September. You can sign up to get alerts and learn Virginia Beach’s beach status here, or call 311 to check the latest conditions.
