Search and Rescue teams suspended their search for a man who friends say hit his head in a fall from a pier in Pacific Beach on Sunday.
The United States Coast Guard had been searching for the 27-year-old man alongside local lifeguards Sunday evening after he fell from Crystal Pier at around 5:30 p.m.
Friends of the victim said he recently moved to San Diego from Houston. He was hanging on a yellow rope near the edge of the pier before he plunged into the water below.
The USCG deployed multiple MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters, the Cutter Haddock and used sonar equipment as it searched 204 square miles to try and find the man.
"The surf was elevated last night. It's calmed down somewhat today but there's still a lot of water moving," San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum said Monday. "Particularly, the rip currents and alongshore."
A group of more than 15 lifeguards scoured the ocean for him in rough conditions before the USCG was called in.
One lifeguard immediately jumped into the water from the pier and a lifeguard boat began searching as well.
The man fell into the water at high tide and in unfavorable conditions, according to lifeguards. The search was temporarily stopped at 7 p.m. Sunday, after an hour and a half of searching.
Sunday’s surf was four to six feet with a strong current and SDFD says this is the second time in three weeks someone has fallen from a pier.
Crystal Pier is located just off Garnet Avenue.
