OCEAN CITY, Md.- Authorities say strong rip currents are to blame for the deaths of two men in Ocean City on Wednesday afternoon.
The first man to die was a 52-year-old from Huntington, Pa. He was among five people rescuers pulled from the water over a 15-minute period around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. The man was pronounced dead at around 1:30 p.m. at Atlantic General Hospital after extensive efforts to revive him.
The second man who drowned was 49 and from Baltimore County. He was pulled from Ocean City waters just before 6 p.m. Wednesday. He was taken to AGH where he was later pronounced deceased.
Ocean City Beach Patrol said both men drowned because of strong rip currents.
“Today is a sad day for the entire Ocean City community,” said Ocean City Director of Emergency Services Joe Theobald. “Throughout the day, our SRT's were educating the public about the rough surf and dangerous rip currents. Our emergency personnel did an extraordinary job and had they not responded as quickly and professionally as they did, today could have been much worse.”
Due to rough surf and strong rip currents, swimming restrictions are currently in place. Beachgoers should check in with the lifeguard on duty every time you come to the beach and are reminded to keep your feet in the sand until a lifeguard is in the stand. After Labor Day, lifeguards are strategically located along the 10 miles of Ocean City beaches with multiple mobile patrols on duty as well. Lifeguard service continues until Sunday, Sept. 21.
“We urge our beach patrons to take the time to walk to and swim in front of the lifeguard,” Theobald said. “Our deepest sympathies are with the two families who lost loved ones today. We will certainly have them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
