Teen Drowns at Hampton Beach Amidst Dangerous Rip Current Conditions – Rescue Efforts Strain Resources
Hampton Beach, NH – A 17-year-old boy died Sunday evening after being caught in a strong ocean current while swimming with family at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire State Police reported. The tragedy underscores the heightened dangers along the New England coastline this weekend, fueled by lingering effects from Hurricane Erin and resulting in a surge of water rescues.
Police responded to the beach at approximately 6:46 p.m.after receiving reports of a possible drowning. Witnesses stated the teenager was swimming with family members when he was pulled offshore by the powerful current. His father attempted a rescue, but also became distressed in the turbulent waters.Fortunately, lifeguards – who had been off-duty but were quickly recalled – responded swiftly, successfully bringing both the teen and his father to shore. Lifesaving measures were immediately initiated on the 17-year-old,who was then transported to Exeter Hospital,where he was pronounced dead.
the boy’s name is being withheld pending family notification. His father was also treated at Exeter Hospital and is currently listed in stable condition.
This incident is part of a disturbing trend of increased water emergencies along the New England coast.Just last week,over 140 people required rescue from the waters off Hampton Beach over a six-day period – nearly matching the total number of rescues performed by lifeguards during the entire summer of the previous year. The surge is attributed to a combination of tropical surf, hidden hazards, and especially dangerous flash rip currents.
The dangerous conditions weren’t limited to Hampton beach.In Salisbury, Massachusetts, a boat capsized near the Merrimack River on Saturday, leading to one rescue and a continuing search for a missing man. Further north, rescues were also carried out in Nahant and Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Authorities attribute the heightened risk to the remnants of Hurricane Erin, which, despite veering away from the East Coast on Friday, left behind important swells and powerful currents. Rip currents, in particular, are a major threat, pulling swimmers away from shore with surprising speed and force.New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol Sgt. Nicholas Haroutunian is leading the inquiry and asks anyone with data to contact him at Nicholas.M.Haroutunian@DOS.NH.GOV or 603-227-2112.
Understanding Rip Currents & Staying Safe:
Rip currents are narrow, powerful channels of water flowing away from the shore. They don’t pull under the water, but away from the shore. The National Ocean Service recommends the following if caught in a rip current:
Remain calm.
Don’t fight the current.
swim sideways,parallel to the shore. Once free of the current, swim at an angle away from it and toward the shore.
If unable to swim out of the current, float or tread water.
* Call for help.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of ocean swimming, even on seemingly calm days. Swimmers are urged to be aware of conditions, swim near lifeguards when possible, and understand how to respond if caught in a rip current.
