Authorities search for missing swimmer in Laguna Beach
Authorities in Laguna Beach were searching this morning for a missing swimmer who disappeared Sunday after jumping off a cliff into the ocean and trying to swim to shore.
William Barrientos, 22, of Lake Forest, jumped off a rocky cliff near Table Rock Beach and was struggling to get back to land when he went underwater, witnesses told police. Another person tried to swim out to rescue him, but couldn’t, said Laguna Beach police Sgt. Jason Kravetz.
The rocks are marked as being off-limits, Kravetz said.
Laguna Beach police, along with dive teams and lifeguards, started looking for Barrientos shortly after the incident was reported just after 6 p.m. Sunday. They suspended the search when it became dark, but they resumed their efforts early this morning.
“We’re hoping for a rescue situation,” Kravetz said, “but as the hours go by, it’s more and more going to be a recovery.”
-- Paloma Esquivel
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Darwin lives on.
Posted by: pm | June 15, 2009 at 01:58 PM
Why waste tax dollars going after this idiot? If you can't heed a sign to keep off the rocks, and you are that stupid as to jump off a rocky cliff into the ocean, then your DNA doesn't deserve to propagate. There are enough stupid people on this planet as it is.
Posted by: Very simple | June 15, 2009 at 02:32 PM
that first comment is pretty vicious about a kid who is probably dead. i think latimes should have a way to complain about this kind of rotten speech.
Posted by: nobleone | June 15, 2009 at 04:14 PM
It's very sad, but this man was mostly spanish speaking and besides, the sign that cautions people from diving from the rocks is 145 steps up the steep staircase, and its in English! The sign posts a picture warning as well, but it's not forceful enough. BUT never would I blame anyone - not even the victim who has passed from this beautiful Earth. The rescuers worked super hard with all their human strength, ingenuity and no expense was spared to locate this poor diver. God bless him and everyone, try to have some compassion for a man who died in his innocent joy of enjoying a swim.
Posted by: RiverBoatQueen | June 17, 2009 at 01:30 AM
i know he wasn't doing suicide but it's really sad because i knew him!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: sarah | June 17, 2009 at 06:08 PM
i was always mean to him but i really didn't mean it and i feel so guilty!!! BLESS WILLIAM BURRIENTOS AND TO BE IN HEAVIN!!!
Posted by: sarah | June 17, 2009 at 06:10 PM