Children were seen comforting each other after their 15-year-old friend went missing during a late-night swim in Huntington Beach on Sunday night.
Two swimmers entered the water near Lifeguard Tower 11, south of the Huntington Beach Pier, but only one returned, authorities said.
Witnesses said the waves rose rapidly and grew larger, sweeping the boy away.
The U.S. Coast Guard said late Monday it had suspended the search for the boy, who has not been identified by authorities.
Children were seen comforting each other after their 15-year-old friend went missing during a late-night swim in Huntington Beach on Sunday night.
The U.S. Coast Guard said late Monday it had suspended the search for the boy, who has not been identified by authorities.
“The decision to suspend an active search is never easy and is only made after exhaustive efforts to find the missing person,” said Capt. Stacey Crecy, ABC 7.
“Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”
Friends of the teenager, a high school sophomore, took part in the search and spoke to local media.
Love Che-Howell, one of the teenager’s friends, told ABC: “It’s quite heartbreaking because he was one of my very good friends.
Witnesses said the waves rose rapidly and grew larger, sweeping the boy away.
“We got there and started looking for him on the beach and there were cars everywhere. There were helicopters. The whole ocean was lit up. There were lights everywhere.”
A small crew of a boat and a helicopter were sent to search.
The Coast Guard said waves reached between three and five feet high with strong rip currents throughout Sunday.
