Woman visiting the Outer Banks found dead on Labor Day, North Carolina park says
A 28-year-old tourist visiting the Outer Banks was found dead in the ocean on Labor Day, according to Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
The identity of the woman and a cause of death have not been released. She was visiting from Washington, D.C., the National Park Service said in a news release.
“At approximately 2:30 p.m. Sept. 4, a 911 call was placed to report an unresponsive visitor in the ocean in the northern section of the village of Avon,” park officials said.
“A witness stated that the 28-year-old woman was overtaken by strong waves and disappeared in the surf. Shortly after disappearing in the surf, the victim was observed face-down in rough ocean conditions.”
Investigators say “a bystander and bodyboarder” assisted first responders in bringing the woman to shore. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was attempted, but was unsuccessful, officials said.
Ocean conditions at the time were “rough with a high risk of rip currents,” the park said.
Rip currents are strong channels of fast-moving water known to pull swimmers from the shore out to sea. The currents are blamed for about eight deaths annually off the Carolinas, making them “the deadliest and most common hazard people face at the beaches,” the National Weather Service reports.
About 100 people are killed by rip currents each year in the U.S., NOAA reports. Lifeguards rescue thousands of people from rip currents annually.
Experts say people can take steps to stay safe from rip currents, including:
Check the local water conditions before getting in.
Talk to a lifeguard at the beach about the conditions.
Only swim at beaches where lifeguards are present.
Don’t assume great weather means good swimming conditions.
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