Oglethorpe University student missing

By Laura Diamond

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Erik Downes, a junior at Oglethorpe University, is missing after he was caught in a riptide off the coast of Costa Rica Tuesday, university officials said Wednesday.

Downes, who is from Florida, traveled to Costa Rica with students and faculty as part of an ecological study abroad trip, officials said in a news release. Members of the group were swimming in waters off Playa Dominical when they were caught in the riptide, officials said.

The Coast Guard and others continue the search for Downes.

Downes, a pre-med major, is vice president of the student body and serves as a resident assistant on the Brookhaven campus.

"The thoughts and prayers of the entire Oglethorpe community are with Erik and his family and many friends," President Larry Schall said. "In a close-knit community of 1100 students, this is having an impact on everyone."