Assateague Island Announces Road and Park Closures Ahead of Storm

BERLIN, Md.- Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police have released the name of a man whose body was recovered Wednesday night off the coast of Assateague Island National Seashore.

Police identified the victim as Dongjin Hong, 36, of Hartford, Conn. Initial autopsy results indicate the cause of death as drowning. 

Police said that at around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday they received a 911 call reporting a body floating face down in the water off of North Ocean Beach at Assateague Island National Seashore.

A multi-agency search effort between the National Park Service, Maryland DNR, Berlin EMS, and ATV-patrolling Assateague State Park lifeguards found the body at 7:34 p.m., approximately 300 yards southeast of North Ocean Beach.

A Maryland DNR Police boat located, retrieved, and brought the body to the West Ocean City Maryland DNR boathouse for transportation to the Worcester County medical examiner’s office for identification and cause of death. 

According to police, the Assateague Island National Seashore lifeguard protected swimming area at North Ocean Beach is in operation from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. seven-days a week. The Assateague State Park lifeguard protected swimming area is in operation from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with a lifeguard patrolling on an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) until 7 p.m. Lifeguards and red flags are actively warning swimmers of persistent seaward or “rip” currents along Assateague’s beaches.

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