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Authorities are searching for a 39-year-old man who reportedly jumped off the Venice Beach Pier early Saturday morning.City News Service reports that just before 2:30 a.m., a witness and a lifeguard saw the man, who has been identified as David Matthew Rose, "leave his things on the pier and dive into the water."
According to KTLA, witnesses saw Rose jump and go underwater, but eventually lost sight of him. L.A. County Fire Department Lifeguard Capt. Kenichi Haskett told KTLA that Rose's personal possessions, including a cell phone and jacket, were later found.
NBC L.A. notes that the Venice Beach Pier was closed this morning, to prevent interference with search and rescue efforts from the Coast Guard and the L.A. County Fire Department, who were using boat, helicopter and rescue divers.
#LASD Air Rescue 5 on scene assisting @LACoLifeguards searching for missing pier jumper at #Venice Beach. pic.twitter.com/IAaTl8cPHH
— SEB (@SEBLASD) July 2, 2016
Rose is described as a white male, 6 feet 3 inches tall, and weighing about 240 pounds.
In March, another person vanished after jumping off the pier in Santa Monica. The search for him was eventually called off.
Updated, 11:25 a.m.: As per City News Service, David Matthew Rose has been found safe at home, after 7 hours of searching. According to a Marina del Rey Sheriff's Station watch commander, deputies found Rose, unharmed, at his residence at about 9:50 a.m. Ok, then!
L.A. County Lifeguards would like to remind you that it is illegal to jump off piers.
*Pier IC* Update: the individual was found safely at home by @LASDHQ . REMINDER it is illegal to jump off the pier.
— LACoLifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) July 2, 2016