REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - A routine summer evening turned alarming in Rehoboth Beach after a swimmer went missing offshore Saturday night, prompting a large-scale emergency response and an extensive search effort.
At approximately 7:38 p.m., the Rehoboth Beach Police Department was called to the shoreline near Olive Avenue for a report of a missing swimmer.
Sam Albert, a vacationer who was staying nearby with his family, said they were sitting outside when they saw flashing lights and emergency crews rushing toward the beach. “Last night, we were actually out on the patio, and we saw the police cars and the ambulances and everybody swarmed on here,” Albert said.
At approximately 7:38 p.m., the Rehoboth Beach Police Department was called to the shoreline near Olive Avenue for a report of a missing swimmer.
The search involved the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, and Delaware State Police Aviation.
According to the Rehoboth Beach Police report, the missing swimmer is described as a Black male in his twenties, approximately 6 feet tall and weighing between 160 and 170 pounds.
“I couldn’t even imagine that sort of thing happening,” said vacationer Ian Stewart.
While ocean rescues aren’t uncommon along the Delaware beaches, this incident brought back memories of past tragedies. In 2023, 31-year-old Richard Boateng was lost at sea in Rehoboth Beach. His body was later discovered washed up on the shore.
On Sunday afternoon, the Rehoboth Beach Police Department announced it had suspended the search.
Albert urged visitors to take ocean safety seriously, especially after lifeguards go off duty. “Don’t go in deep,” he said. “There’s always that danger. And you saw the reality of it last night. So please don’t go out there too deep.”
On Sunday afternoon, the Rehoboth Beach Police Department announced it had suspended the search.