New Hanover Co. ocean rescue crews save 30 plus swimmers

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — It was an extremely busy day for lifeguards at Wrightsville Beach. Ocean rescue crews said they saved 29 swimmers who got caught in rip currents.

Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue Captain Jeremy Owens said it was very unusual to have that many rescues on a week day during the summer.

He said the day started with a low risk of rip currents and as the day went on the risks went up. He said they put up red flags about mid-day to warn people to be careful in the water.

Owens said people should pay attention to flags and learn how to spot a rip current.

“It’s going to be a kind of brown-gray sediment of water being pulled directly away from shore,” said Owens. “And staying out of those rip currents and when in doubt come talk to the lifeguards.”

Owens said they encourage people to talk to the lifeguards if they have any questions or concerns about conditions in the water.

Officials with the Carolina Beach Fire Department said there were eight to ten ocean rescues at Carolina Beach as well.

The National Weather Service said they forecast the rip current risk to be raised from low to medium.