Search suspended for missing swimmer

17-year-old lost while swimming off New Smyrna Beach

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – The U.S. Coast Guard has officially suspended its search for a 17-year-old swimmer who was lost Sunday while swimming in the ocean off New Smyrna Beach.

Officials said the young man was seen going under the water around 5 p.m., but did not come back up.

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The Coast Guard sent a 45-foot response boat-medium from its station at Ponce de Leon Inlet and a crew aboard a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter to help find the missing swimmer, along with search crews from the Volusia County Beach Patrol and New Smyrna Beach Lifeguard Service.

After searching through the night and covering more than 100 miles, rescue crews were unable to find the missing swimmer and called off their search Monday morning.

"The decision to suspend a search and rescue case like this is never an easy one to make," said Capt. Thomas Allan, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville. "I want to extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the young man. After searching with our partner agencies in Volusia County and New Smyrna Beach more than 100 miles by air and sea and finding no sign of the teen, I have made the decision to suspend the active search. Again, we offer our deepest condolences to the family during this difficult time."