Coast Guard Searching For Missing Man In Water Near Discovery Bay

DISCOVERY BAY (CBS SF) -- The Coast Guard is searching for a man who was last seen in the water near Discovery Bay early Sunday morning.

The San Francisco sector of the U.S. Coast Guard received a report of a person in the water about 4:15 a.m. The man reportedly fell in the water at popular fishing spot Indian Slough when the small inflatable craft he and another man were fishing in popped.

One man swam back to shore, but the other was missing.

The search for the missing man, Efferin Cruz, began at 5:05 a.m. when a response boat and a helicopter arrived on the scene. Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office personnel are also assisting with the search.

Cruz is described as a man in his mid-30's, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and 185 pounds.

Neighbor Christina Castillo says she heard helicopters from her home early Sunday morning.

"Because fishing early in the morning it has that, because you have everything: catfish, bass, minnows," Castillo said.

"There is a current, there is a natural river that runs through here, and it does have tidal action so it does go high and low. Again, if the person wasn't a strong swimmer, that could be a problem, if you panic and you don't know getting to shore and tire out or something like that that would be really sad," elaborated Gini Hunt, who has lived on Indian Slough for about four years.

The Coast Guard said it plans to be back on the scene at first light Monday morning to resume the search for Cruz via helicopter and boat.

Anyone with information regarding Cruz is asked to call (415) 399-3451 or the CCCSO dispatch at (925) 646-2441.

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