Lomita Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a possible drowning which occurred off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes. At approximately 6:45 pm on Monday evening, witnesses reported a swimmer in distress approximately 100 yards offshore in the vicinity of Trump National Golf Course. At least one witness paddled a surfboard into the surf to render aid. However, the swimmer was not located.
Personnel from Lomita Sheriff’s Station, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Lifeguards, and the Coast Guard conducted a meticulous search by sea and the air. As darkness set in and conditions became too dangerous, the search was called off until morning.
This morning at approximately 7:15 am, the body of an unidentified male was located along the shoreline east of the Portuguese Bend Club. The deceased matches the description of the missing swimmer. His identity remains unknown, and it’s unclear if he was accompanied by anyone else at the beach on Monday. He was swimming alone when spotted by witnesses, grasping onto a pool toy and yelling for help.
This is a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with swimming alone. Our coastal waters can be treacherous for inexperienced swimmers, and currents are often unpredictable.
Anyone with additional information is asked to Lomita Sheriff’s Station at (310 539-1661, or if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637,) or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Lomita Sheriff’s Station provides law enforcement services to the cities of Lomita, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, and unincorporated communities in San Pedro and the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
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Captain Dan Beringer
Lomita Sheriff’s Station
www.lomita.lasd.org
