Human remains found in search for missing swimmer
A major search for a missing swimmer has been called off this afternoon after human remains were discovered on a beach in south west Victoria.
The 34-year-old Colombian national, from Ivanhoe, entered the surf with a friend at Station Beach at around 3pm on Sunday.
Both were caught in a rip with one managing to swim to shore while the other was swept further off shore in heavy surf.
An extensive land and sea search, involving local police, SES and the police air wing, was called off after human remains were found along the coastline this afternoon.
Police said the man had been camping with friends at Cape Otway over the long Easter weekend.
The group had been enjoying a picnic on the beach when the man and a female friend decided to go for a swim in rough seas.
Acting Sergeant Ray Doensen said: "While they were cooking lunch, he and a female companion decided to go for a swim.
"The female got into difficulty but managed to get back to shore, the male did not.
"The group raced towards the water and attempted to get to him, but because of the heavy seas, they could not make it very far in.
"To save themselves, they got back out of the water.
"His friend saw his head above the water, but that was the last sighting."
The man had been in Australia for four years, working as a cabinet maker and travelling around Victoria.
