One man died in a boating accident near Cape Lookout National Seashore/Kurt Repanshek file
A boating accident left one man dead at Cape Lookout National Seashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Three individuals were in the rented boat in the Atlantic Ocean south of Shackleford Banks on Sunday when a wave knocked them out of the craft, which remained upright. Conditions at the time of the accident were 7-to-9 foot swells, temperatures in the mid-70s with sporadic rain and winds out of the SSW at 8-16 mph, according to a release from the seashore.
According the release, while the accident happened outside the park boundaries, the three managed to make it to Shackleford Banks inside the seashore. However, upon reaching the beach, one male in his mid-40s collapsed around the wave line. The two remaining passengers were unable to move the victim. The victim was unresponsive, so the other two started CPR and dialed 911 at 4:47 p.m., the release added.
Park rangers were dispatched but were approximately 2 miles away. They responded via boat and ATV and were on-site within 15 minutes. Upon arrival, the rangers moved the victim further inland and began AED-assisted CPR. They continued CPR until paramedics with the Harkers Island Fire Department and Beaufort Fire Department arrived on scene and took over. CPR was conducted for about an hour before medical direction called off efforts. Park Service rangers are handling the fatality investigation in conjunction with the other involved agencies.
