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Swimmer not really missing after all

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 8, 2009

Updated: 06/08/2009 05:12 pm

A swimmer who was reported missing Saturday off the coast of Treasure Island was found safe this morning.

A witness told authorities they saw a woman wearing a silver or metallic swimsuit in the water about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The woman was near a buoy about 100 yards offshore. She had left her clothes—a brown T-shirt and tan shorts—on the beach about 400 yards from a hotel.

When the witness walked past the area a second time, the woman's clothes were still on the beach and the swimmer could not be seen. The witness called the Treasure Island Police Department and officers notified the Coast Guard.

A helicopter and 25-foot rescue boat searched about 55 square miles for the apparent missing swimmer, authorities say.

The swimmer's husband saw the story on the news and realized the description of the woman matched his wife, the Coast Guard said. The man called his wife and she confirmed the clothes on the beach were hers. The man then called police to let them know his wife was safe.

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