EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (WITN) – Authorities say a Halifax County man died Wednesday on a North Carolina beach while trying to help a girl in distress, WITN reports.
Troy Strickland drowned in Emerald Isle around 2:30 p.m.
The town says the 41-year-old had been staying at The Islander Hotel all week. His wife told authorities that he went in the water to help another swimmer who was in distress.
Red flags warning people to stay out of the water had been posted all up and down the beach on Wednesday, according to the town.
Confirmed drowning in Emerald Isle this afternoon. Dangerous surf conditions continue in Emerald Isle, RED FLAGS remain in place, and public should stay out of the ocean until further notice. Please don’t put yourself, others, and our emergency responders at risk unnecessarily.
— Town of Emerald Isle (@townemeraldisle) July 25, 2018
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Despite the warning flags, Emerald Isle said it had six different water rescues early that afternoon, the two most serious just six minutes apart.
Words can not describe the loss that has happened today. Troy Strickland, the Manager and engineer of Halifax Heat 14U...
Posted by Halifax Heat on Wednesday, July 25, 2018
In addition to Strickland, six others were taken to the hospital. All of those others are expected to recover.
ORIGINAL STORY
One person has died and multiple others were rescued this afternoon on the Crystal Coast.
Emerald Isle Town Manager Frank Rush says a 41-year-old man was recovered from the surf around 2:30 p.m.
Rush says the drowning happened near the Western Regional Beach Access and that efforts to revive the man were unsuccessful.
Red Flags continue to fly for the entire 12-mile section of beach at Emerald Isle.
The town manager said despite the warning flags, some people continued to go into the ocean. Within a half hour this afternoon, emergency crews were called to four different rescue calls involving several people.
The emergency room at Carteret Health Care was placed on lockdown this afternoon because of five or six beach rescues.