Two individuals lost their lives while swimming in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, within a single day.
The National Park Service reported that a 68-year-old man from Ohio was discovered in an unresponsive state in the waters of southern Hatteras Island on the morning of September 5, at about 10:30 am.
Preceding this event, on September 4, a woman aged 28, hailing from Washington, D.C., was found unresponsive near Avon on Hatteras Island. The potent surf conditions in the region affected both swimmers, and despite resuscitation attempts, neither could be revived.
From those present during the man’s incident, it’s understood that he had been swimming when he called out, indicating distress. They witnessed him go underwater and acted quickly to retrieve him. In a parallel incident the day before, a witness said the female swimmer was overtaken by significant waves. She was brought back to shore with the help of a bodyboarder and another individual, but revival attempts by healthcare professionals were unsuccessful.
Commenting on these incidents, David Hallac, the leader of National Parks of Eastern North Carolina, released a statement. He drew attention to the challenging nature of the surf, marked by imposing waves and robust rip currents. Hallac provided a reminder about the inherent risks, even in areas that appear shallow, and recommended that only those with advanced swimming skills venture into such waters at this time.