Authorities Struggling To Recover Body Seen Floating Off Bodega Head

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Authorities are trying to recover a body that was spotted near the shore in Bodega Bay Friday afternoon.

The California Highway Patrol called the Sonoma County fire and emergency dispatch center around 1:15p.m. to report a body was spotted in the water at Bodega Head, a dispatcher said.

The body disappeared in the surf and has not resurfaced or been recovered as of 3:45 p.m., Bodega Bay Fire Department firefighter Ray Hill said.

The Sonoma County sheriff's helicopter Henry-1 made several passes in the area where the body was seen, Hill said.

The Bodega Bay Fire Department, Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Coast Guard and State Parks lifeguards responded, Hill said.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Elizabeth Scheidel said the Coast Guard and sheriff's office's helicopter returned from the search around 3:30 p.m.

Someone in the parking lot at Bodega Head reported seeing a body washing onto rocks and washing back to sea, Scheidel said.

The Coast Guard threw a life ring into the water and determined the current was moving in a north-northwest direction, Scheidel said.

"We're waiting for more information," Scheidel said.

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