North Topsail Beach officials warn swimmers to avoid dangerous New River Inlet after latest rescue
NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Local officials and residents are urging beachgoers to stay out of the water near the New River Inlet after another rescue highlighted the dangers of the area just days before the Fourth of July holiday.
On Friday, June 26th, a 30-year-old woman was rescued after she stepped off a sandbar into a 20- to 30-foot drop-off and was swept away by strong currents toward the north end of the inlet. A bystander called 911, and rescue crews located the woman within about 15 minutes.
The rescue comes just weeks after 24-year-old Marquest Andrew Page Jr. drowned while attempting to save a child in the same area. His body was recovered several days later near Sneads Ferry.
While WWAY was unable to confirm the total number of drownings at the New River Inlet, three people have died there over the past four years due to the area’s powerful currents.
Curtis Anders, a North Topsail Beach resident who has lived on the island for three years, said he regularly warns visitors about the dangers, especially families unfamiliar with the inlet.
“I walk and I talk to people down there, and I try to explain to them that your child playing in that water there is in danger,” Anders said. “They think it’s the beach, they don’t understand. It’s a channel that’s been cut there for boats to go in and out of the river to the ocean.”
Residents say the inlet’s free public parking attracts visitors, many of whom may not realize the area is not safe for swimming.
Jeff Wells, who witnessed Friday’s rescue, said warning signs are posted throughout the area but are often ignored.
“People need to be aware that area has no swimming signs and warning signs posted everywhere, because it is extremely dangerous and it’s an area to enjoy the beach, but not to swim,” Wells said. “We also try to convey to people that it’s the ocean, it’s not a swimming pool, it’s not even a river.”
North Topsail Beach Police Chief Andrew Page said even strong swimmers are no match for the inlet’s fast-moving currents.
“The currents that are out here, they are stronger than basically anybody that comes out here to swim,” Page said. “Even if you’re an Olympic swimmer, these waters can catch you off guard.”
Authorities continue to urge beachgoers to avoid swimming near inlets and sandbars, where underwater conditions and currents can change rapidly and without warning.
