Current sweeps 26-year-old woman to sea from Washington beach. Search continues

A 26-year-old woman remains missing after being swept to sea from a beach near Olympic National Park in Washington, officials reported.

Currents swept the woman away from Rialto Beach on the Olympic Peninsula northwest of Seattle at 10:50 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release.

She was wearing a pink sweater and black pants, the Coast Guard says.

Two Coast Guard helicopters and a land search party are continuing to look for the missing woman.

The Coast Guard asks anyone with information to call 206-217-6001.

What to know about drowning

At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.

Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.

“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”

This story was originally published September 26, 2023 at 2:52 PM with the headline "Current sweeps 26-year-old woman to sea from Washington beach. Search continues."