Local teen goes missing while swimming at Sanibel beach

SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. — Rescue boats and helicopters searched the waters around Blind Pass Beach on Sanibel Tuesday for a teenager who went missing while swimming.

FOX 4's Austin Schargorodski rushed to the scene as soon as he heard crews were being called to search. – Sanibel Fire Department told him three teenagers swam to the sandbar and one of them was swept away by a strong current.

Standing on the Blind Pass Bridge you could see how fast the water was flowing towards the shore where rescue boats were searching for the swimmer.

Sanibel Fire Chief Jeff Pawul said rescue crews arrived on scene just before noon to respond to a call about three teenagers in difficulty in the water.

“We received reports that two men and a woman were swept away by the current. A rescue swimmer arrived on scene and was able to rescue one man and one woman. A third swimmer remains missing and multiple fire boats, LCSO, the sheriff’s department and the Coast Guard are conducting a coordinated search,” Pawul said.

You may see signs warning swimmers of the dangerous current as you walk along Blind Pass Beach.

Max and Sarah Berkovits are vacationing here from New York and told me they saw firsthand how strong the current can be.

“We were on a rubber dinghy and the current swept us away. We tried to get back on board while staying on the dinghy, but we couldn't,” the Berkovits said.

Fortunately, the Berkovits said a fisherman swam out and rescued them.

“When there is a tidal change in a passage like this, the tides can come in pretty quickly, whether it’s inside or outside – a lot of people get caught in those tides and swept out to sea,” Pawul said.

With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, Pawul said he knows a lot of people might be swimming in Blind Pass, so he stresses the need to be cautious.

“Try to stay close to shore, use life jackets if necessary. Make sure people know who is in the water,” Pawul said.

The Sanibel Police Department said the search will continue into the evening with the U.S. Coast Guard using aerial resources such as helicopters.