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Contact: Boone Vandzura, 252-475-9010
A swimming-related fatality occurred during the afternoon on October 19, 2016 off the beaches of Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) in the Buxton area. The swimmer, a 75 year old man, was in the water 25-50 yards off the beaches in the north end of Buxton when a bystander noticed that he may have been in distress. A 911 call was made and Dare County EMS and Sherriff's office, Hatteras Island Rescue Squad, and National Park Service staff responded. Life saving measures were attempted; however, they were unsuccessful. "The National Park Service's thoughts are with the family after this tragic event" stated Seashore Superintendent David Hallac. Hallac also stated: "We strongly urge all swimmers to obtain information about rip current and swimming safety prior to entering the waters off Seashore beaches. We ask all of our community partners in the villages to help spread the message about the importance of swimming safety." The waters off Seashore beaches often produce powerful waves and dangerous rip currents. Rip current safety information is available at Seashore visitor centers, in the Seashore's newspaper here: https://www.nps.gov/caha/learn/news/newspaper.htm, on NOAA's website here: http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/, on the National Weather Service's rip current forcast website here: http://www.weather.gov/beach/mhx, and on signs located at a number of Seashore parking lots and beach walkways. |
Last updated: October 20, 2016