Body of Rehoboth Beach swimmer washes ashore one day after he went missing
After a massive search of Rehoboth Beach failed to find any sign of missing swimmer Richard A Boateng, his body washed ashore on Monday morning
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The body of a swimmer who went missing after getting into trouble in treacherous conditions at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, has washed ashore, according to police.
Richard A Boateng, 31, from Savage, Maryland, disappeared while swimming in the ocean near Rehoboth Ave at around 5.45pm on Sunday 3 September.
After receiving multiple 911 calls, authorities mounted a vast multiagency search for Boateng.
The operation included Rehoboth Beach Patrol lifeguards, and officials from the United States Coast Guard, the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit, and the state’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Just before 6am on Monday, Boateng’s body was spotted in the surf about a mile north at North Shores Beach, the Rehoboth Police Department said in an update.
Paramedics responded and pronounced the swimmer dead at the scene.
“No foul play is suspected,” the department said.
Boateng got into trouble in the surf off Rehoboth Beach just 22 minutes after lifeguards had gone off duty on Sunday, according to WGMD.
Officials had earlier warned of extremely treacherous conditions in the water along the mid-Atlantic from Tropical Storm Idalia.
A witness who saw Boateng struggling in the water told WGMD they thought he was waving to somebody.
“Probably he was shouting ‘help’ and we suddenly realised, yeah, he needs help. So then I started shouting ‘Help! We need a lifeguard.’
“We were shouting, shouting, shouting and finally when I turned to this side. I can’t see him. He just lifted his hand and he drowned,” the witness told WGMD.
Off-duty lifeguards leaped into action to try to save the drowning man, creating a human chain as they dragged a rope through the water parallel to the beach, the news site reported.
The search continued even after dark fell with Coast Guard vessels and helicopters firing parachute flares into the air.
Boateng had reportedly been visiting Rehoboth Beach with his girlfriend and several friends.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden own a second home in Rehoboth Beach, along with their primary residence in Wilmington.
Mr Biden attended church in the coastal town earlier on Sunday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments