Surfers to the rescue

You could call them local heroes.

A group of surfers in Wrightsville Beach rescued struggling swimmers yesterday evening.

The swimmers were caught in a rip current after 5 p.m., when lifeguards were off duty. The surfers were cleaning up after the day’s competition when they heard cries for help. Tony Butler of Sweetwater Surf Shop in Wrightsville Beach was of one of those surfers. He said they swam out just in time.

“(One of the Swimmers) had already swallowed a ton of water and there’s no telling how much longer he would’ve lasted,” Butler said. “So we’re real fortunate that they we’re there for him, put him on the surf board and helped paddle him in.”

The swimmer is a twenty four year old man. Wrightsville Beach ocean rescue director Dave Baker said the man was taken to Cape Fear hospital, where he was treated and released.