A 53-year-old Bellbrook, Ohio man died in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Hatteras National Seashore near Buxton on Monday, June 10. The release from CHNS stated “the water-related fatality occurred less than a mile north of the former location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.”

The 911 call for help was received at 11:49 a.m. A family member brought the man back to shore and bystanders initiated CPR efforts. National Park Service Rangers, Hatteras Island Ocean Rescue, Buxton Volunteer Fire Department Dare County Emergency Medical Services and Dare County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call. Cause of death is unknown until a medical examination is performed.

The victim was not using a flotation device, according to the CHNS statement. A high risk of rip currents was forecast for most CHNS beaches Monday. A high risk means “wind and/or wave conditions support dangerous rip currents. Rip currents are life-threatening to anyone entering the surf.”

“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: weather.gov/beach/mhx
• Rip current safety information: 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

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