On Saturday afternoon, a 75-year-old man from Downsville, New York, died in the Atlantic Ocean near the northern boundary of Hatteras Village.
A companion swimmer reported that the man became unconscious while attempting to escape a rip current.
The 911 call was received at 2:50 p.m. and the companion pulled him from the ocean with help from two bystanders. National Park Service Rangers, Hatteras Island Ocean Rescue, and Dare County Emergency Medical Services responded to the incident. The cause of death is unknown until a medical examination is performed.
“Our staff offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends,” said National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac.
This is the third water-related fatality off Cape Hatteras National Seashore this year. There were five fatalities in 2018, seven in 2017, and eight in 2016.
