A man died after being rescued from the water just north of the Kitty Hawk Pier Thursday evening, the Outer Banks’ eighth ocean-related death this year and the third in July alone.

Kitty Hawk Police Chief Joel Johnson said the rescue occurred in Southern Shores near the Hilton Garden Inn and pier.

Details on exactly what happened weren’t released Thursday night and Southern Shores officials couldn’t immediately be reached.

One witness indicated the victim may have gone into the water to help a struggling teenager.

The death is the area’s eighth ocean-related death since April.