Father and Son Drown Near Oak Island Pier
Just after 1:30 PM, we were dispatched, along with Oak Island Fire Department, Oak Island Police Department, Brunswick County EMS, and Southport FD EMS, for a report of a drowning near the Trott Street beach access, in the vicinity of the Oak Island Pier. United States Coast Guard Station Oak Island, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, and North Carolina Marine Patrol we’re also alerted.
Shortly after dispatch, Brunswick County C-Com (911 center) advised that one person (later identified as the father) had been removed from the water and medical care (CPR) was being provided on the beach. A second person was reported missing in the water.
While Oak Island Fire Department and Brunswick County EMS provided advanced life support medical care to the patient on the beach, we simultaneously initiated a search effort to locate the missing swimmer. We quickly launched our drone, interviewed witnesses, scanned the surf with binoculars, and deployed a search team in the surf zone while other members searched along the beach in both directions.
As the search effort intensified, the Town of Oak Island rapidly deployed a second drone. United States Coast Guard Station Oak Island’s 47’ Motor Life Boat quickly arrived on location. North Carolina Marine Patrol and Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol boats also arrived on scene in short time. These three boats, along with our surf launch Boat 4491, began running search patterns in the immediate area, as well as east and west of the scene.
We requested Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office’s helicopter, “Air 1”, who seamlessly continued the air search when we landed the drones. A Jayhawk helicopter was also requested from the United States Coast Guard and they responded quickly from Air Station Savannah (GA). This quickly escalated into the largest emergency response of the season involving local, county, state, and military first responders.
The second person (the first man’s son) was located and placed in the care of local EMS.
While this incident did not conclude as we had hoped and worked hard to achieve, we are very thankful for the mutual aid response of our local, county, state, and federal partner rescue agencies.
While the investigation into these drownings is ongoing, it appears the men, as well as a related female who was rescued, were caught in a rip current, possibly after being knocked down by a wave. The rip current warning level for the day was moderate, and we were flying our yellow flag. The water was fairly rough, though not excessively so, from Tropical Storm Henri churning several hundred miles to the east. When we fly the yellow flag, we recommend not going in the water. If you must, only go in very shallow water, no more than knee deep.
Please keep those involved in your thoughts and prayers.
