News Release

Ohio man dies in Atlantic Ocean near Buxton, NC

Date: June 10, 2019
Contact: Mike Barber, 252-475-9032

Earlier today, a 53 year old male from Ohio died in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) near Buxton, North Carolina.

Additional details:

• 911 call was received at 11:49 am.
• The water-related fatality occurred less than a mile north of the former location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
• A family member brought the 53 year old male visitor from Bellbrook, Ohio back to shore where CPR efforts were initiated by bystanders. The CPR efforts were unsuccessful.
• National Park Service Rangers, Hatteras Island Ocean Rescue, Buxton Volunteer Fire Department, Dare County Emergency Medical Services, and Dare County Sheriff Officers responded to the incident.
• The victim was not using a flotation device.
• Cause of death is unknown until a medical examination is performed.
• A high risk of rip currents was forecast for most of the beaches along the Seashore today. A high risk of rip currents means that “wind and/or wave conditions support dangerous rip currents. Rip currents are life-threatening to anyone entering the surf.”
• This is the first water-related fatality off Cape Hatteras National Seashore this year. There were five fatalities in 2018, seven in 2017, and eight in 2016.

“Our staff offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends,” said National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac. “We urge all visitors to be very careful when swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.”

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