A 61-year-old Virginia man died in rough surf near a beach along the Outer Banks, North Carolina, amid rough surf churned by Hurricane Dorian, as it positioned over the northwestern Bahamas.
The man died on Sept. 1 in waters off Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The incident took place at 5:25 p.m. local time off Flambu Road near Hatteras Village, the agency said.
“A bystander observed the swimmer in apparent distress and attempted rescue,” park officials said. “The bystander brought the 61-year-old male... closer to shore where he was met by rescue personnel... CPR efforts were unsuccessful.”
He was in the water without a flotation device, said park officials.
“A high risk of rip currents was forecast for most of the beaches along the Seashore today, and rip currents were observed in the area,” officials stated.
The man was from Oak Hills, Virginia, located near Washington, D.C., they added.
“Our staff offer our deepest sympathies to his family and friends,” park Superintendent David Hallac said in the release. “We urge all visitors to be very careful when swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, especially with the approaching storm. Additionally we would like to thank the Hatteras Island Rescue Squad for their swift response.”
Dorian slammed the Bahamas’ Abacos Islands on Sunday before it moved west to Grand Bahama Island on Monday. When the storm hit, the wind speed was 185 mph.