Hamzah Alsaudi, a San Francisco state student, disappeared Thursday during a “polar dive” on Esplanade Beach in Pacifica, Calif., police said in a press release.
At around 10:30 a.m. on January 19, police were called to the beach for a swimmer in distress. Officials said Alsaudi and two others went into the ocean, but while in the water Alsaudi, 22, was hit by a large wave that pulled him further from shore.
The other two swimmers managed to make it back to shore and called 911 for help, police said.
The U.S. Coast Guard sent aircraft and a surface craft to help search for Alsaudi, police said. CBS Bay Area reported that several other agencies, including a California Highway Patrol air unit and a San Bruno Police Department drone, had been asked to assist in the search.
Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Alsaudi was a San Francisco state senior majoring in political science with a minor in Arabic studies, the college said. He was also a beloved member of the institution’s wrestling team, his school said in a letter to the community shared Friday afternoon, and was a four-year high school letter winner.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gator community at this time as we process this news,” the letter said. “We remain deeply grateful to the Coast Guard, police and others for all they have done to assist in the search.”
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