Ohio Man Dies in Atlantic Ocean Near Buxton
On Monday, June 10, a 53-year-old man from Bellbrook, Ohio died in the Atlantic Ocean near Buxton. The water-related fatality occurred less than a mile north of the former location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
The 911 call was received at 11:49 a.m. A family member brought the man 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 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 Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Monday. 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.”
