NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for a 60-year-old man off New Smyrna Beach, calling the missing swimmer a false alert.
The Coast Guard said Timothy Akins was last seen Sunday wearing a yellow shirt and riding a blue and silver mountain bike.
Officials said Akins left home to go swimming in the area of Ponce Inlet Jetty to Flagler Avenue and was scheduled to return at 6 p.m. A family member contacted authorities around 9:30 p.m. to report Akins missing, officials said.
#UPDATE Missing swimmer near New Smyrna Beach reported to have been seen by a friend late Sunday. Search efforts are suspended. False alert.
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) August 22, 2016
On Monday, officials said a friend reported to have seen Akins late Sunday, prompting the search efforts to be suspended.
A 24-foot rescue boat crew from Station Ponce de Leon, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater and rescue crews from Volusia County Sheriff's Office initiated search efforts.
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