SURFSIDE BEACH, Texas — Authorities are continuing recovery efforts after a 16-year-old boy from La Marque disappeared while swimming off Surfside Beach Friday afternoon.
Surfside Beach Police were called around 1:30 p.m. Friday after receiving a report of a swimmer in distress near the main beach entrance, around the intersection of Bluewater Highway and State Highway 332.
Police Chief Philip Hester told local media that officers responded and launched drones while the U.S. Coast Guard searched from the water.
Crews searched for approximately three hours without locating the teenager before Texas EquuSearch was called to assist. Police later said the operation had transitioned into a recovery effort.
Teen Was Visiting Surfside With Girlfriend
Authorities have said the missing swimmer is a 16-year-old boy from La Marque, although his name has not been publicly released.
The teenager was reportedly at Surfside Beach with his girlfriend. According to reporting citing Chief Hester, the teenager's girlfriend and her mother told authorities that he appeared to be struggling in the water before going under. Several beachgoers reportedly attempted to reach him but were unsuccessful.
Dangerous Current Conditions Reported
The incident occurred while a rip current advisory was in effect for Brazoria and Galveston County beaches. The advisory remained in effect until early Saturday morning.
Rip currents can move swimmers away from shore and can be difficult to detect from the beach.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed exactly what caused the teenager to begin struggling in the water.
No Public Recovery Confirmed Yet
As of early Sunday morning, Gulf Coast Times found no newer publicly available announcement confirming that the teenager had been recovered.
Among the questions that remain are whether recovery crews continued searching Saturday, what agencies remain involved, the exact area being searched and whether changing surf or current conditions have affected the operation.
The teenager's name has not been released publicly.
Gulf Coast Times will seek an updated status from the Surfside Beach Police Department and will update this story as additional information becomes available.