CARLSBAD — At approximately 6 a.m. Thursday a 9-1-1 call reported a body in the surf in Oceanside between Buccaneer Beach and Cassidy Street.
The body was believed to be that of a 21-year-old male reported missing on Wednesday evening by his 18-year-old brother, Fernando Velasco of Vista, at Carlsbad State Beach near Pine Avenue.
The swimmer’s identity was confirmed to be 21-year-old David Velasco also of Vista.
The city of Carlsbad Fire Department working in partnership with California State Parks coordinated a massive search Wednesday evening.
Search efforts included divers, helicopters and boats with support from the cities of Oceanside, Encinitas, Del Mar, Solana Beach and Vista as well as the San Diego County Sheriff and the U.S. Coast Guard.
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones,” said city of Carlsbad Fire Department Division Chief Michael Calderwood.
“We are grateful to the many agencies from throughout the region who put forth a heroic search effort,” he added.
“This tragedy is a sad reminder of how dangerous the ocean can be, especially for inexperienced swimmers,” said California State Parks Superintendent Robin Greene.
“It’s always best to swim where lifeguards can keep watch over you.”
The victim went missing about 45 minutes after the lifeguard tower closed for the day, said Greene.
