US Marine from Mass. swept away by dangerous current in Puerto Rico, Coast Guard says

LUQUILLO, Puerto Rico — An active search is underway for a United States Marine from Massachusetts who was swept away amid high surf and life-threatening rip currents at a beach in Puerto Rico on Wednesday afternoon, officials announced Thursday.

Corporal Samuel Wanjiru, 26, was visiting the island with his family when he came into distress after going into the water in the beach area of La Pared in Luquillo, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan.

Multiple agencies including the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau, Policía de Puerto Rico, and Luquillo Surf Rescue are assisting the Coast Guard in the search for Wanjiru.

In a statement, the United States Marine Corps said Wanjiru is a native of Worcester who was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 472, Marine Aircraft Group 49, and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in Chicopee.

“Wanjiru is a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, and serves as a Motor Vehicle Operator with MWSS-472. At the time of his disappearance, Wanjiru was not in an active-duty status or conducting military operations,” a USMC spokesperson said. “4th Marine Aircraft Wing is concerned for the Marine’s welfare and is in communication with Wanjiru’s family, local authorities, and the U.S. Coast Guard while the search for Wanjiru continues.”

Before Wanjiru was reported missing, the Coast Guard said an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew responded to a report of a person in distress in Montones Beach in Isabela and found a man unresponsive. They were later pronounced dead.

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Marine Search Marine Search (Puerto Rico Emergency Management)

The Coast Guard is cautioning beachgoers of dangerous water conditions off Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through the weekend.

“This month has been deadly when it comes to beach drownings in the area of Puerto Rico,” said Capt. Jose E. Díaz, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan. “During this long holiday weekend, I urge locals and visitors to pay close attention to the weather conditions and warnings from the National Weather Service and that they don’t go into the water when visiting beaches in the west, north, and eastern coasts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands until conditions subside.”

“You’re talking about sea state conditions of 10 to 12-foot seas and life-threatening rip currents,” U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Ricardo Castrodad said. “Imagine us not being able to go out and rescue someone with a surface asset. That’s how seriously bad these weather conditions are.

Díaz added, “There are several hundred miles of open ocean beaches which are extremely dangerous in the present conditions, and most do not have lifeguards. People need to realize that the situation is serious enough to limit our ability to respond to search and rescue cases with surface vessels without further endangering our crews and assets. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones to the sea, we hope they find strength during this most difficult time.”

In a Facebook post, the Puerto Rico State Agency for Emergency and Disaster said, “We reiterate the call to citizens to NOT go to beaches this week because they are dangerous due to high tide.”

Helicopters, boats, and dive teams are being utilized in the search for Wanjiru.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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