SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard ended the search for a missing person after local emergency response authorities participating in the search recovered her submerged and unresponsive off Condado Beach in San Juan, Monday afternoon.
Recovered deceased is Cimone Alicea Dawson, a 22-year-old woman from Indianapolis who was visiting the island with friends, of which two of them got caught with her in the strong rip currents affecting the area, Sunday night.
The woman’s friends were rescued and assisted ashore by local bystanders and responding authorities, Sunday night.
“We extend are most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this young woman and pray they find strength and closure during this most difficult time,” said Cmdr. Matthew Romano, Coast Guard Search and Rescue mission coordinator for the case. “I would like to extend my appreciation to the bystanders and on-scene authorities for their actions which saved two lives and to all the Coast Guard units and emergency response partners for their professionalism, dedication, and tireless efforts during the search.”
Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan received an initial notification at 6:32 p.m. from a bystander, who heard screaming at the beach and observed two people in distress in the water. Sector San Juan watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen, a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from Air Station Mobile and a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat from Station San Juan and notified local authorities of the developing situation. Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action marine units and state and municipal Emergency Management rescue personnel also responded and conducted search efforts on-scene.
Agencies and units that participated in the search:
- MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen
- HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from Air Station Mobile
- 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat from Station San Juan
- U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft
- U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol aircraft
- San Juan Office of Emergency Management
- San Juan Municipal Police
- Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau
- San Juan Municipal Office of Emergency Management
- Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action
- Puerto Rico Emergency Medical Services
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