Massachusetts Man Dies in the Ocean Near Ramp 70 on Ocracoke Island

On Wednesday afternoon, a 55-year-old man died while swimming in the ocean near Ramp 70 on Ocracoke Island. The man was visiting from North Brookfield, Massachusetts, and was found floating three feet from the shore near Ramp 70 on Ocracoke Island without a flotation device.

Bystanders discovered the man after answering a family member’s call for assistance in locating him. The family member also called 911, with the call received at 4:47 p.m.

CPR was immediately performed by the bystander after the man was brought to the beach. Ocracoke Emergency Medical Services, Hyde County Sheriff’s Office, Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, National Park Service Surf Rescue Lifeguards, and Seashore Rangers responded to the incident and continued the bystander’s initial resuscitation efforts, but were unsuccessful.

This is the third swimming-related fatality off the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) this year, the second fatality on Wednesday, June 6, and the third within the last four days.

There were seven swimming-related fatalities in 2017 and eight in 2016.

“Today has been a very hard day at Cape Hatteras National Seashore,” said National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac. “Our staff offer our sincere condolences for the loss of two visitors. We urge everyone to be very careful when swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.”