News Release

New York Man Dies in the Atlantic Ocean Near Rodanthe, NC

Date: October 1, 2018
Contact: Boone Vandzura, 252-475-8307

Earlier today, a 63 year old male from New York died while swimming in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) near Rodanthe, North Carolina.

Additional details:

• A 911 call for two swimmers in distress was received at 10:07 am.
• The victim’s friend initiated CPR efforts, followed by Chicamacomico Banks Water Rescue and Dare County Emergency Medical Services.
• CPR efforts on the 63 year old male visitor from Baldwinsville, New York were unsuccessful. He was the only fatality during this incident.
• The victim was not using a flotation device.
• The Dare County Sheriff’s Office and National Park Service Rangers also responded to the incident.
• The risk of rip currents has been high the last several days. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) considers a high risk of rip currents to mean that “wind and/or wave conditions support dangerous rip currents. Rip currents are life-threatening to anyone entering the surf.”
• This is the fifth swimming-related fatality off Cape Hatteras National Seashore this year. There were seven swimming-related fatalities in 2017 and eight in 2016.

“Cape Hatteras National Seashore extends our condolences to his family and friends during this very difficult time,” said National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac.
 
Ocean safety links/info:

• Daily rip current forecast: www.weather.gov/beach/mhx
• Rip current safety information: www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov
• Daily Seashore ocean and beach messages: http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess
• Text “Join OBXBeachConditions” to 30890 to sign up for text alerts