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Seventh Coast Guard District |
| Press Release |
Date: May 18, 2007 Contact: Ricardo D. Castrodad (787) 510-7923 |
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Body of Missing Swimmer Recovered Off Condado Beach, Coast Guard Suspends Search for Second |
| SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Coast Guard aircrews located the body of a missing swimmer who was reported missing Wednesday, and suspended the search today for a second swimmer reported missing Thursday in waters off Condado Beach, Puerto Rico.
Luis Daniel Edesma, 14, a native of Vieques, Puerto Rico was found dead today at approximately 9.12 a.m., about one nautical mile northeast of the Condado Plaza Hotel. His body was recovered by the crew of a Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action F.U.R.A. marine unit. The search has been suspended pending further developments for Luis Gonzalez Mercado, 31, who was last seen Thursday struggling to stay afloat near Condado Beach. A Puerto Rico Emergency Management diver, already at the scene searching for Edesma, spotted the distressed Mercado and attempted to assist him but was unable to reach him in time. Since Wednesday, Coast Guard, F.U.R.A., Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Good Samaritans have been searching for the missing swimmers. Coast Guard controllers have launched three HH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station Borinquen, that conducted seven searches spanning 91 nautical square miles over 13 hours of flight time. "This is a tragic case indeed, our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of these young swimmers during these difficult times," said Capt. James Tunstall, Sector San Juan Commander. ### |
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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the |
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