Two men drown off North Carolina coast after one tried to save the other, officials say
Two North Carolina men drowned off Emerald Isle Sunday, officials say.
Four surfers and a lifeguard on the beach tried to save James Howard Burton, 72, of Cornelius, and John C. Emerline, 73, of Raleigh, but neither could be revived, town officials said in a news release.
At about 4:17 p.m. Sunday the Carteret County 911 center reported two swimmers were in trouble on the beach, the town said.
“Reports indicate that Mr. Burton was in the ocean and appeared to be in trouble. Mr. Emerline entered the water and attempted to save him. It is believed that the swimmers are related,” according to the release.
The lifeguard and the surfers pulled the two men from the water.
“A loss of this magnitude is simply heartbreaking,” Emerald Isle Town Manager Matt Zapp said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Burton and Emerline families during this tragic time.”
This wasn’t the only drowning off the North Carolina coast Sunday. A 65-year-old Pennsylvania man died in the water off Cape Hatteras National Park Sunday morning, according to the National Park Service.
This story was originally published July 13, 2020 at 8:52 AM with the headline "Two men drown off North Carolina coast after one tried to save the other, officials say."
