Two young men are missing after they were swept out by strong currents while swimming at Utumea this morning. The boys were part of a church youth group having a picnic at the west side beach.
KHJ News was told that one of the boys had called out for help while he was swimming within sight of the beach. And his cousin swam out to help.
Police and EMS were called.
For sometime those on the beach were able to see the two young men in the ocean while they were waiting for EMS and Marine Patrol. Then the two boys disappeared.
It took a long time for EMS to arrive and the Marine Patrol Vessel also took awhile because it had to come all the way from their base in Fagatogo.
A family having a picnic nearby also contacted the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak which was nearby, arrived promptly.
The Marine Patrol vessel, along with the Coast Guard cutter scoured the sea off Utumea and to the west end of the island but by night fall there was no sign of the boys.
Sea conditions were rough and parts of the road had sand and rocks washed up by the waves.
The mother of one of the missing boys and a large group of friends and relatives were at Utumea Beach late this evening, singing praise songs and praying.
As the search continued and family members and friends huddled on the beach never taking their eyes off the sea, two rainbows appeared over the horizon.
Commissioner of Public Safety Lei Sonny Thompson, Deputy Commissioner Falanaipupu Taase and Commander of the Fire Division Cliff OBrien were stationed in the command post set up in the guesthouse of High Chief Paepae Faiai.
As news of the missing boys spread several cars and more young people arrived at the scene. 
Family members identified the missing boys as Alex Peric, who just graduated from Tafuna High School and his cousin Anthony Leota, an 11th grader at Samoana High School.
