VIRGINIA BEACH — One swimmer was found washed ashore in critical condition Saturday, and two others were missing after emergency personnel responded to a report of three swimmers struggling at the Oceanfront, according to police.

Shortly before 8:30 p.m., police received a call about three males swimming in the ocean off 16th Street who were struggling to make it to shore, according to a release from Virginia Beach police.

First responders found one male washed ashore, the release said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition late Saturday.

Members of the Coast Guard, Virginia Beach fire and police departments joined in the search, using helicopters, boats and all terrain vehicles to search.

Saturday’s ocean conditions were rough and not swimmable, said Tom Gill, chief of the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service.

The waves were 3-to-4 feet high with lots of chop. Lifeguards came down from their stands last Sunday for the season. Currently, four guards patrol the resort beach from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. After that, a response team of two people remain on duty until sunset, which was around 7 p.m. Saturday.

The distress call came in after dark.

“No one should be swimming at night,” said Gill. “You can’t see the power of the water.”

Water conditions had been mostly calm at the Oceanfront this summer. But over the last month, the wave action became more dangerous and red flags had been posted in most areas, Gill said. There was one drowning of a surfer a week ago in Croatan where lifeguards were no longer stationed.

Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com