New Jersey State police say a search for a New Jersey teenager who disappeared after being knocked down by a large wave has been suspended due to rough surf.
State police, the Coast Guard and local rescue teams searched for several hours Thursday morning for 16-year-old Sal Roberts, who was last seen early Wednesday afternoon.
Police say the Voorhees boy was among a group of seven teens on a beach outing to Seaside Heights organized by Youth
Consultation Services.
The boy was swimming with a second teen when they were knocked over by a large wave around 1 p.m. A lifeguard rescued the second teen but was unable to grab Roberts.
The Guard received a call at 1:19 p.m. Wednesday from a member of Seaside Heights 911 dispatch reporting that a 16-year-old male was seen being swept out by the surf, officials said.
A rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., a rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet, N.J., and a rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light, N.J., were first on scene and searching, officials said.