VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Coast Guard suspended its search for a 35-year-old man who reportedly entered the water to assist a 13-year-old child near Little Island State Park, Wednesday.
The Coast Guard initially received the report of the missing man from Virginia Beach dispatch at approximately 1 p.m., Tuesday.
Crews from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and Coast Guard Station Little Creek searched a total of 347 square miles.
Personnel from the Virginia Beach Fire Department, Virginia Beach Police Helicopter, Virginia Beach Police Department, Virginia Marine Resource Commission, Virginia Marine Police, National Parks Service and the False Cape State Park also participated in the search efforts on shore, air and sea.
“We never make the decision to suspend lightly and in this particular case, it’s especially difficult,” said Capt. Kevin Carroll, commander of Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads. “We share our deepest sympathies with the family of a man who risked his own life to save another.”
-USCG-