Search Launched For Missing Swimmer In Manhattan Beach

MANHATTAN BEACH (CBSLA.com) — The U.S. Coast Guard and Los Angeles County lifeguards Tuesday searched for a man missing in the waters off Manhattan Beach.

About a dozen divers were also in the water north of the Manhattan Beach pier trying to find the swimmer by using sonar technology.

Friends and family identified the victim as Derrick Jeffries, 24, who disappeared in the surf near the 1800 block of The Strand around 5 p.m. while swimming back to shore with two friends.

His friends said they did not see the Hawthorne man go under and that he is a good swimmer.

Jeffries' family said the Hawthorne man had just got out of the Army and is still an active member of the National Guard.

Lifeguards warned about strong rip currents and said even experienced swimmers can get into trouble.

The rescue operation was scaled back by nightfall. If nothing changes overnight, the search will resume at 7 a.m. Wednesday. By then, it is expected to turn into a recovery mission.