Three rescued after gusts push them a mile off NC’s Outer Banks, lifeguards say

Three people lounging on floats had to be rescued after wind gusts pushed them “well over a mile” away from the northern Outer Banks, North Carolina rescuers say.

It happened Wednesday morning near Corolla, and all three swimmers exhibited symptoms of hypothermia, Corolla Fire & Rescue Squad reported in an April 22 news release.

“Three souls saved today due to joint efforts of CFR, Currituck Fire/EMS and Corolla Beach Rescue,” the squad said.

“Floats drifted far off beach due to strong wind out of the southwest. Captain Chet Fleming took a board out to check on their condition and ensure they did not try to ‘go for it’ and swim to shore.”

Attempting to swim back to shore carried the risk of getting trapped in a rip current, which can drag people farther out to sea, experts say.

The three were brought to shore by lifeguards, one on a surf board and the other two on a jet ski, officials said.

Currituck EMS treated the three for hypothermia, officials said. Their identities were not released.

The northern Outer Banks experienced gusts of 20 to 25 mph on Wednesday, and there was a moderate risk of rip currents, the National Weather Service said.

Corolla is about a 225-mile drive northeast from downtown Raleigh.