Search underway for reported missing swimmer in Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (FOX 11) - Emergency crews were searching Tuesday for a missing swimmer in Santa Monica.

A "swimmer in distress" was reported just after 11 a.m. near Tower 9 in the 800 block of Palisades Beach Road, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Lifeguard Division.

Lifeguards began a rescue response, but the swimmer had submerged by the time rescuers reached them, authorities said.

Both Los Angeles County lifeguards and the department's Air Operations Section were on scene searching for the swimmer.

The area is about a mile north of the Santa Monica Pier.

Los Angeles County lifeguards will remain in the area patrolling throughout the evening on Tuesday and into the morning. Dive operations will resume Wednesday morning at 8 a.m.