Tourist drowns at Carolina Beach

CAROLINA BEACH — A tourist drowned this weekend after getting caught in a rip current at Carolina Beach.

It happened near zone six at Freeman Park Saturday morning.

Police say 23-year-old Lois Watson of Maryland was swimming when she got caught in the current.

Someone called 9-1-1 about a number of swimmers in distress. When police arrived, they found Watson unresponsive and without a pulse.

Lifeguards say even experienced swimmers can get caught in the currents.

Lifeguard Andrew Ridge said, “First and foremost, don’t panic. The best way to get out of the rip is to swim parallel to the shore until you can slowly come into shore.”

Right now Freeman Park does not have lifeguards. They do have two police officers who patrol the beach daily.

Carolina Beach town officials are working to get lifeguards in that area.