Newport Lifeguards Fail to Locate Missing Swimmer : Search: He was in water with two friends when strong currents apparently swept him out to sea.

Lifeguard divers searched unsuccessfully off the Balboa peninsula Wednesday afternoon for a swimmer who may have been swept out to sea by strong tides.

Lorenzo Serrato Cornejo, 18, of Anaheim was in the water northwest of the pier with two friends about 11:45 a.m. when strong currents began pulling the trio away from the coast, a lifeguard official said.

One of the swimmers made it safely back to shore while Cornejo and a 20-year-old friend struggled. A surfer at the scene went to the aid of both men, helping them swim closer to shore. The surfer managed to help get the 20-year-old back to shore but failed to return in time to aid Cornejo, who was pulled away by a strong undercurrent, said Lt. John Blauer of the city’s Marine Safety division.

“It was close to a double drowning,” Blauer said.

While 11 divers searched the water, a Sheriff’s Department patrol boat scanned the area and a city helicopter circled overhead.

Lifeguard officials called off the search about 2:45 p.m., saying divers were not able to see more than a few feet in the choppy water.

Cornejo’s friend and the surfer, whom lifeguard officials did not identify, were able to help him get within a few yards of land before currents apparently pulled him out to sea, Blauer said.

The three friends were swimming in the waters near 24th Street, and Cornejo was last seen in the area near 26th Street, police said.

Cornejo’s location after he was swept from view is “a big question mark, to be quite honest,” Blauer said. “It depends on the currents down below.”

Blauer said lifeguard officials will decide early today whether to continue the search.