Body is identified as swimmer who went missing in Huntington Beach

A body that washed ashore in Seal Beach on Oct. 7 has been identified as a man who disappeared into the surf after being knocked down by a wave in Huntington Beach a day earlier.

Orange County coroner’s officials Tuesday identified the body as 53-year-old Van Nguyen, who drowned after being hit by the wave Oct. 6.

Nguyen’s city of residence was not immediately available.

Nguyen and two other people were wading in the ocean near lifeguard Tower 18 just off 22nd Street at about 4 p.m. Oct. 6 when they were hit by a 3- to 5-foot wave. Two of the swimmers resurfaced and made it to shore, but Nguyen did not, authorities said.

The Coast Guard scoured 152 square nautical miles before suspending its search.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol and lifeguards from Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach helped in the search.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN