SAN DIEGO — The search for an 18-year-old man who went missing while swimming in the ocean off the coast of Mission Beach continues.
Candles burning in memory of Woodlain Zachee, who was a very popular student athlete and recent graduate at Crawford High School.
There are more than a dozen bouquets at the base of the wall in front of the football stadium, quiet tributes in the wake of his drowning off the coast of Mission Beach on Tuesday.
He and two friends got into trouble about mid-afternoon, when they encountered a rip current. The others were rescued but Woodlain was pulled under. A search and rescue mission were quickly launched but he had disappeared.
The effort to locate him involved the U. S. Coast Guard, as well as San Diego Lifeguard vessels and scuba divers, and San Diego Police dive and helicopter teams.
Day three of the search featured boats utilizing side-scan sonar. So far, there is no sign of him.
Back at Crawford High, there is a growing memorial.
"It's horrific! It's crazy how a life can be gone that fast, said Ali Musa, 2018 Crawford High School graduate. “Just seeing this kid graduate two, three days ago, the next day his life is just gone…it's terrible!"
The wall outside the football stadium features Woodlain's graduation picture and an action shot from the basketball court. #21 for the Colts, he was gifted, a most valuable player, and one who touched many classmates.
Members of the cheer team stopped by after practice, scooped up chalk from a plastic tub, and wrote notes.
Large, heart-felt message:
“Gone too soon.”
“We Miss You #21,” in blue, with the number 21 in yellow just below.
“Rest in Peace.”
Painted on the wall:
“Rest Easy. King of the Court. #21 will never be forgotten.”
The neighborhood is aware of the grief over this tragedy. Another bouquet of flowers laid on the ground. Pictures being taken. Words of sadness being considered.
"I've been seeing it on social media, stuff like that, which is great; condolences of family and friends, which is amazing,” said Musa. “It's beautiful, a great thing. It's his honor, he deserves it.”
The community all hopes his body can be recovered soon and laid to rest.
The young man was among several swimmers who began having trouble staying afloat in the water near Jersey Court about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
At around 7:30 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard deployed services -- including a helicopter and cutter -- to look for the victim.
San Diego Fire-Rescue told CBS 8, first responders searched for 75 minutes for Woodlain on Tuesday and then shifted their response from search and rescue to a recovery effort.
On Wednesday, lifeguards had three rescue vessels and rescue water craft conducting scuba searches using sonar equipment, for a total of 18 personnel assigned to the effort. The San Diego Police Department dive and helicopter teams were also aiding in the search.
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