Tuesday, March 19, 2024

14-year-old rescued from hi-risk waters in Oak Island

Two rescue firefighters and a volunteer rescue firefighter rescued a 14-year-old teenager Sunday who struggled swimming on the west end of the island’s public beach area. (Courtesy photo)

BRUNSWICK COUNTY — Within 7 minutes of being dispatched Sunday, Oak Island Fire Department rescuers safely guided a swimmer to shore at the west end of the island’s public beach area.

READ MORE: ‘Four deaths this year is so devastating’: The cost of not having lifeguards on Oak Island

ALSO: Rescue devices pop up on Oak Island’s shore, as community rallies for beach safety

AND: OKI responds to being listed eighth most dangerous beach in U.S.

It’s the first rescue of the season.

According to a press release from the Town of Oak Island, a 911 call was made about three juveniles swimming in high risk waters around 4:45 p.m. Flags were flying red due to the storm that had passed through.

Upon authorities arriving, two of the swimmers were safe and knee-deep on the shore. The third party, a 14-year-old, was struggling to swim and had ingested the saltwater.

Two rescue firefighters and a volunteer rescue firefighter helped the teenager. When back on land, the swimmer was alert and coherent, the release noted. However, the victim was transported to Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center for further evaluation.

The Town of Oak Island does not have lifeguards but instead has beach warning flags:

  • Mounted on ALL Fire Department Engines
  • Through the scannable QR code on the Water Safety Stations at each Beach Access Location
  • Fire Station 1 (101 E Oak Island Drive)
  • Fire Station 2 (8510 E Oak Island Drive)
  • On the entrance of the Oak Island Pier at 705 Ocean Drive
  • On the flagpole of Crossroads Gathering Place, at the base of the GV Barbee bridge
  • Mounted on the Utility vehicles of the Beach Services Unit during all active patrols
  • Volunteer partner Oak Island Water Rescue Station (4901 E Pelican Drive) 

Signs are posted throughout the island that take users to the “Beach Safety” page of the town website as well.


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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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