Beachside Vigil Held for Missing Swimmer

OCEAN CITY – Family and friends held a beach side vigil July 1 for Corinthian Hammond, the 14-year-old boy from Hammonton Park who went missing June 29 in the water near Ninth Street in Ocean City, according to OCNJ Daily.
They gathered to remember Hammond as well as to ask questions of witnesses who were on scene that day.
Initial reports indicated that Hammond, along with a group of individuals entered the water of an unprotected beach off 9th Street in Ocean City June 29 at approximately 6:45 p.m. The regular Ocean City Beach Patrol was off duty at the time. The beach at Ninth Street is marked with signs warning bathers that the beach is closed when lifeguards are not on duty.
The group was quickly caught in a rip tide and swept out from the beach. Several others entered the water attempting to help and were also caught in the rip tide.
A 9-1-1 call was received and Ocean City’s Beach Patrol Rapid Response Team was activated from 12th Street and arrived on location within a minute. The Response team rescued and removed 14 people from the water. It was then discovered that Hammond had gone missing. An aggressive water rescue operation was launched. Teams of firefighters and beach patrol began searching the water utilizing ropes and rescue equipment. The nearby jetty was searched with divers and swimmers.
The Ocean City Police Marine Unit, United States Coast Guard and Fire Department jet skis searched the waters off the beach. The search continued for approximately two hours and was called off due to unsafe conditions and darkness.
The search resumed at 6 a.m. June 30 with fire department and police personnel patrolling the coast line until the lifeguards returned for duty at 9:30 a.m.
The Coast Guard suspended their search shortly before 4 p.m., June 30.
The Ocean City Fire Department and Beach Patrol will continue their search as the family stays in a nearby motel awaiting news.
For previous coverage, go to:
– Coast Guard Suspends Search for 14-Year-Old Swimmer : http://goo.gl/Gaa3j8.