Fire and rescue are on Navarre beach right now looking for a missing swimmer. One girl has been rescued.
The Coast Guard helicopter should be here shortly. The current in the Gulf is running towards the West.
The one person rescued is staying at Inn at Summerwind Condo.
UPDATE:
As daylight is hitting the beach Fire and Coast Guard are still looking for the missing male swimmer believed to be in his late twenty’s.
NEW VIDEO
Here is a video just shot of the Coast Guard Cutter searching the Gulf.
At 8 AM there has been no luck in finding the missing swimmer.
People on the pier have reported seeing something in the water.
The Coast Guard is asking for the fisherman to help and gives them their cell number.
NEW UPDATE 4:52 PM.
5:35 PM UPDATE
At 5 PM tonight the search and rescue had ended on Navarre beach due to lack of light and bad weather. The rescuers will resume on Navarre beach with a search and recovery mission beginning at dawn.
The missing swimmer is Christopher Beal age 28 from Crestview.
This is a summary of today’s events.
Deputies with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Navarre beach this morning at approximately 4:20 am. The response was in reference to a missing swimmer. The area was approximately 300 yards west of Navarre fishing Pier. Christopher Beal, a 28 year old male from Crestview entered the water with a second individual. The water was very rough with red flag surf conditions. The second individual was able to exit the water but it is believed at this time Beal was carried away in the surf.
Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office, Coast Guard, Santa Rosa EOC, Navarre Beach Fire Department, Lifeguard Ambulance Air 1, and FWC were actively involved in the Search and Rescue efforts. Assets included fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, boats, ATVs, and beach search vehicles. The Trauma Intervention Team was also on scene to provide support to family and friends. At 5:30 pm this evening, the operation was transitioned to a Search and Recovery. Also, due to increasing inclement weather, operations were suspended for the evening. Navarre Beach Fire will continue beach patrols during the night. Operations to locate the missing swimmer are expected to continue in the morning. We are anticipating additional inclement weather in the morning.
When more information becomes available we will update here.
