Virginia Beach, Va. (WTKR) - The weekend drowning of a 14-year-old boy at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront over the weekend has highlighted the quick and expansive response of emergency officials in the Resort City.
14-year-old Demonte White drowned in the ocean near 79th Street Saturday afternoon.
Read more about the drowning here.
When the call for the missing swimmer came in Saturday afternoon, emergency crews from Virginia Beach Police, EMS and Fire Departments as well as the city's lifeguard service.
"We’re all going to respond along with the fire department, our helicopter, EMS, Coast Guard, anybody that’s available, we’re all coming," explained Master Police Officer Michael Derwent with the Virginia Beach Police Department's Marine Patrol.
From the land to the air to the sea, all eyes are on the look-out. On the water, the two of the Marine Patrol Boats in Virginia Beach are equipped with side scan sonar, which provides additional support.
"Basically you are looking for something that’s out of character," Derwent explained. "You’ll see some ripples in the sand, some shoals, some sand bars, but something wouldn’t normally be there – that’s what you’re looking for."
Saturday's search and rescue turned recovery mission was the first in Virginia Beach for a missing swimmer this summer.
