UPDATE (8:40 p.m.)
The Corpus Christi Fire Department has grounded their drone for the evening and plans to end their search for a missing 18-year-old from the waters off Whitecap Beach on Padre Island at 7:45 p.m.
According to Corpus Christi police, three swimmers believed to be about 18 years old were swimming in the area around the Holiday Inn.
A post from the Nueces County ESD No. 2 indicates that the swimmers were caught in a rip current. Two have been rescued and rescuers are looking for the other one who was last seen wearing pink swimming trunks.
Beginning at 8 p.m., the United States Coast Guard will be rotating between a helicopter and an airplane. One of the craft will be in the air at all times throughout the night, or until they find the missing swimmer.
All involved agencies now are calling this a “recovery effort.”
The Corpus Christi Fire Department plans to resume operations at 7 a.m.
The Coast Guard reports the missing man was last seen swimming between Packery Channel and Bob Hall Pier.
It received a report of three persons in the water, two males and one female, swimming 150 to 200 yards offshore when the male and female lost sight of the other male.
The female swimmer was able to make it back to shore while the male was assisted back to shore by Corpus Christi Beach Rescue. The missing swimmer is reported to be wearing pink swimming trunks.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a MH–65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew and a 45-foot Response boat to assist in the search.
Rescue crews are searching for a teenager who is missing from the waters off Whitecap Beach on Padre Island.
According to CCPD, three boys believed to be about 18 years old were swimming in the area around the Holiday Inn.
A post from the Nueces County ESD No. 2 indicates that three swimmers were caught in a rip current. Two have been rescued and rescuers are looking for the other one.
Water rescue crews responding to 3 people caught in a rip current two have been rescued were searching to the 3rd
Posted by Nueces County ESD #2 on Thursday, April 11, 2019
The Corpus Christi Police Department, Nueces County Sheriff’s Office, Corpus Christi Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard are involved in the rescue operation.
At about 3:30 p.m., there was a call for three men in the water at Whitecap Beach on the Island.
The Coast Guard employed a chopper on the scene and a boat was arriving from Port Aransas to aid in the rescue.
The search area appears to be between Whitecap Beach near the Holiday Inn and the Packery Channel’s south jetty.
A staging area has been set up in the beach parking lot next to the Holiday Inn.
