CofC student found on Sullivan's Island after police, Coast Guard search

SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) - Sullivan's Island police confirm a once missing 18-year-old College of Charleston student has been found safe.

A woman pulled up to the Sullivan’s Island Police Department with a girl inside her car just before 5:30 a.m.

The passenger confirmed she is an 18-year-old College of Charleston student and said “I don’t know what happened.”

Police have confirmed this is the teenager they were looking for.

The College of Charleston released the following statement Friday morning about the overnight incident:

"College of Charleston officials were made aware of a report of a missing student on Sullivan’s Island in the early morning hours of Friday, August 23. Our student affairs officials immediately responded to the scene to provide any necessary support. Shortly before 6 a.m., College officials were notified that the student had been located on land. The College of Charleston would like to thank everyone involved in responding to this incident, including the Sullivan’s Island Fire and Police Departments, the U.S. Coast Guard and local community members."

The incident began as a water rescue effort on Sullivan's Island transitioned into a search for a missing person, police confirmed.

Sullivan's Island police and fire crews were joined by units of the U.S. Coast Guard shortly after 12:30 a.m., dispatchers said.

The focus of the search was in the area of Station 22 1/2.

Search and rescue crews were seen on the beach around 1:30 a.m.

Sullivan's Island officials later confirmed they were no longer engaged in a water rescue. Instead, they were searching for a missing 18-year-old female College of Charleston student.