Lifeguards say they rescued over 200 people across Virginia and North Carolina beaches during the July 4th holiday weekend.
Tom Gill, Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service chief, said his lifeguards pulled over 180 beachgoers out of the water, The Virginian-Pilot reported Monday.
“That’s high for us,” Gill said, adding the number was large “even for a holiday weekend.”
Lifeguards rescued 62 beachgoers Saturday and 120 on Sunday, the outlet reported. Gill said at least three rescued individuals had inhaled water.
Authorities in neighboring North Carolina rescued 21 beachgoers on Hatteras Island, according to The Virginian-Pilot.
Strong rip currents prompted lifeguards to pull about 200 swimmers from the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia and North Carolina over the holiday weekend. https://t.co/mdJUE3yzWy
— AP Climate (@AP_Climate) July 6, 2023
“It’s hot and people want to get in the water and need to get in the water,” Gill told the outlet. The Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service had flown red rip current flags all weekend, warning swimmers to stay out of the ocean.
Gill emphasized the importance of beachgoers asking lifeguards about water conditions if red flags are up, the outlet reported. (RELATED: Eagle Scouts Save Swimmer Who Suffered Heart Attack While Training For Lifeguard Certification)
A teenage swimmer reportedly drowned in College Creek near Williamsburg, Virginia, over the weekend, while two rescues occurred at Hampton’s Buckroe Beach, according to WTKR.