REHOBOTH BEACH, DELAWARE: Richard A Boateng, of Savage, Maryland, vanished while swimming off Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on Sunday, September 3. His corpse was discovered after a thorough overnight search on the next day.
According to the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, the 31-year-old male was last seen around 5.45 pm Sunday, September 3, surfing in the beach area of Rehoboth Avenue, reports New York Post.
The location is in the community of Rehoboth Beach, where President Biden reportedly owns a holiday home.
Where was Richard A Boateng found?
According to Rehoboth Beach Fire Company Chief Chuck Snyder and Delaware Online, Boateng's body was discovered on North Shores beach on Monday morning, September 4, in a little town nearby Rehoboth.
A multi-agency search and rescue operation was begun to find Boateng on Sunday after numerous 911 calls.
The US Coast Guard, Delaware State Police, Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Rehoboth Beach Patrol, and the state's Division of Fish and Wildlife took part in the search.
Did any one see Richard Boateng before he drowned?
According to a witness who spoke to WGMD, the swimmer required assistance when he saw someone lift their hand above the water.
"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 stated.
Authorities had issued rip current warnings throughout the holiday weekend.
What does rip current mean?
Rip currents are strong, channeled water currents that are moving away from the shore. Usually, they reach from the beach, into the surf zone, and beyond the line of breaking waves, as per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The mid-Atlantic experienced rip-current warnings over the Labor Day weekend as a result of Tropical Storm Idalia's heavy surf, according to the Journal.
"Think twice before you go in the water this weekend, whether surfing, kiteboarding or boating, and if you do, monitor trusted weather sources, know your limits, and plan for emergencies," said Capt. Jennifer Stockwell, commander of Coast Guard Sector Virginia.
