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17-year-old missing swimmer found dead in Gulf

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says 17-year-old William Zhang was visiting Florida with his swim team for a camp.

INDIAN SHORES, Fla. — The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says a 17-year-old swimmer was found dead after an hours-long search Wednesday off the Pinellas County coastline. 

The swimmer, identified as William Zhang, disappeared underwater just after 9 a.m. in the area of 19534 Gulf Boulevard in the Gulf of Mexico, Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue Chief Jeffery Davidson said.

Detectives say Zhang was visiting Florida from Quebec, Canada, with his swim team for a camp. He was conducting swimming drills in the Gulf with several of his teammates when he did not return to shore. 

"I was jogging earlier this morning along the beach and I saw about 10 young people with, I presume, an instructor talking to them," said David Hoag, one of the witnesses in the area.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Indian Shores Police Department, Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Coast Guard all assisted in the search for the missing teen.

Deputies with the Underwater Search and Recovery Team found Zhang's body at approximately 5:23 p.m.

Swim coaches told detectives they checked for rip currents or hazards before the swimmers entered the water. The sheriff's office says the incident does not appear suspicious.

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