17-Year-Old Jacksonville Teen Missing
Officials are searching for a missing 17-year-old Jacksonville teen identified as Joshua Gabriel after he was caught in a dangerous rip current on Wednesday afternoon.
According to a post made by one of his family members, Gabriel has been identified as the missing teen.
Emergency crews were called to 484 New River Inlet Road at Beach Access #4 for an ocean rescue. Witnesses told police and fire officials that Gabriel was struggling to make it back to shore as the tide came in, but the rip current overpowered him.
No one at the scene was able to reach the teen in time, according to town officials. A full-scale search began immediately, with local police, fire, and other agencies canvassing the area.
Crews deployed drones and searched for more than two hours with no success. A fire department jet ski, boat, and a United States Coast Guard helicopter continued searching until after dark.
At sunrise Thursday, the search ramped up again, covering several miles of coastline with boots on the sand and drones in the air. Despite the intense search, Gabriel has not yet been found.
Authorities are urging beachgoers to be cautious and aware of rip current dangers, especially during strong tides.
Check back for updates…
