One male in critical condition after drowning on Oceanfront, two still missing

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Emergency crews are responding to a drowning on the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach on Saturday night.

Around 8:25 pm, officials received a call for three men who were swimming off 16th Street and struggling to make it to shore.

Responders arrived to find one individual washed ashore, he was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The other two remain missing.

At present time, the Coast Guard, VBFD and VBPD marine units, VBPD aviation units, and VBPD ATVs and UTVs have been deployed in search of the possible two other missing individuals.

“My understanding is that the current is going North and that’s why they are focusing up to the North however, they do go a little bit further South just as a loop. We’ll continue the search, active search with them and the police helicopter, of course, with the marine assets that we have out there for some time. The water is kind of warm so they can sustain in that water for a little while,” said Bruce Nedelka, Division Chief of Virginia Beach EMS.

The Virginia Beach Police Department posted on X saying, “There is a heavy presence of emergency responders at the oceanfront this evening, searching for two possible drowning victims off of 16th street. Please avoid the area.”

The Coast Guard were searching in a helicopter, but no divers were deployed.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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