4 days ago
4 rescued from rip currents at North Carolina coast; 2 taken to hospital
HOLDEN BEACH, N.C. (WNCN) — Four people were saved from rip currents at the North Carolina coast on Saturday, with two taken to a hospital following the rescue.
The incident was reported Saturday around 5:55 p.m. at the East end of Holden Beach, an island in Brunswick County along the southern coast, officials said.
The Holden Beach Police Department said two people — a man and a teen girl — were swimming near The Point of the island. The area is an inlet that cuts between Holden Beach to the west and Oak Island to the east — and connects the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.
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The National Weather Service said the rip current risk was low Saturday, but with the currents at The Point, the first two swimmers were quickly fighting for their lives, a Holden Beach police shift commander told CBS 17 Saturday night.
Two bystanders, both men, jumped into the ocean, trying to save the man and teen girl — but soon those two rescuers also needed saving, police said.
The Tri-Beach Volunteer Fire Department's ocean rescue team was called. The Point area is beyond the last public beach access point — and is difficult to reach, Holden Beach police said.
Once crews were able to deploy jet skis, they rescued the man and teen, police said. The pair were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation but were released by Saturday night, according to police.
The two men were also rescued but did not go to a hospital.
'Guys, you've got to be safe (and) stay together. If the water is moving, please, please do not get in there without checking the currents — and stay together,' Holden Beach surf instructor Timothy Turner said in a social media video, adding that he helped with the rescue Saturday.
Two weeks ago, 13 people were rescued from rip currents at Emerald Isle beaches in Carteret County, according to the National Weather Service. Moderate rip currents were forecast for the surf that day.
Turner recorded two videos on Saturday in which he spoke about running to the rescue scene and warning people about rip currents — especially at the inlet.
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'I can not stress enough of not letting your families get into the water — if you hear water and see water moving and there is white wash and waves going everywhere,' Turner said about what to avoid.
Tri-Beach Volunteer Fire Department has three stations and serves Holden Beach, Varnamtown, and areas of Brunswick County southeast of Shallotte.
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