18-year-old Dies After Being Pulled From Water at Nags Head
Distressing incident on Independence Day Eve
An 18-year-old man tragically lost his life after being pulled from the ocean at Nags Head on Wednesday. The incident unfolded just hours before the celebrations of Independence Day were set to commence.
Rescue Operation at Nags Head
The distress call reached the Nags Head’s Fire and Rescue services just before 3 p.m. Subsequently, police officers arrived at the Gull Street public beach access located on South Virginia Dare Trail. The call was about three swimmers reportedly in difficulty amidst the ocean waves. Two of the swimmers managed to return to shore, with a Nags Head lifeguard assisting one of them. The recovered swimmers were swiftly taken to the Outer Banks Hospital.
Rescue Drone and Lifeguard Efforts
In an attempt to locate the third swimmer, a Nags Head police officer deployed a drone over the swirling waters. After the man was located, he was brought ashore by a gallant Nags Head lifeguard and immediately taken to the same hospital. However, despite all the efforts, the young man was pronounced dead upon his arrival at the medical facility.
Expressions of Condolences
“The town’s thoughts are with the man’s family and friends after this tragic event,” a release from the Town of Nags Head conveyed, expressing their consolidated feelings of deep sorrow over the incident.
The young man, a visitor from Columbus, Ohio, had been enjoying the oceanic beauty of Nags Head before the unfortunate incident. To respect the grieving family’s privacy, his name has been withheld.
Other Distressing Swimming Episodes
This tragic incident follows closely the fatal drowning of a 12-year-old boy at a Johnston County Lake the previous Saturday. Furthermore, a Wake deputy’s 2-year-old son also tragically drowned in a pool last week. In light of this string of watery accidents, people across the state are urged to exercise extreme caution, especially when swimming in unfamiliar waters.
Reaffirming Safety Measures
Authorities are extremely concerned and are calling for a renewal of focus on water safety precautions. Nags Head, beloved for its beach attractiveness, is seeing an increased influx of tourists during this season. Visitors are reminded to stay vigilant of ocean conditions, respect safety flag instructions, and refrain from swimming during unfavorable weather conditions or far away from shore.
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
