Hickory man drowns in reported rip current off Oak Island, emergency officials say
A Hickory man drowned on Sunday in what a 911 caller said was a rip current off Oak Island, and town officials say the call was among more than half a dozen water rescue calls that day.
In a news release, town officials said the Oak Island Fire Department, Oak Island Police Department, and Oak Island Water Rescue were all dispatched to 25th Place East for a swimmer in distress around 2 p.m.
Responders arrived to find bystanders administering CPR to Kevin Whitley, 52, of Hickory on the shore.
Officials said first responders performed all possible resuscitation efforts for over 30 minutes before pronouncing Whitley dead.
The town said that there were several other calls in the Oak Island and Caswell Beach areas.
Due to the unsettled waters from Tropical Storm Colin, Oak Island Water Rescue was flying the yellow beach warning flag all day and had recently upgraded to a red flag.
ALSO READ: Tropical Storm Colin: System downgraded to tropical depression
A red flag means there is a high risk of rip and longshore currents and dangerous surf conditions. Beachgoers are told to stay out of the water as there is no safe water depth with a red flag warning in effect.
Officials said Whitley’s death and the other calls for rescue could not be confirmed as being directly related to the rip currents, but that the need for caution is present.
Though Colin is not presenting the high winds and heavy rains typical during a tropical storm, town officials say visitors should be aware of the rough and unsafe conditions.
“He had a huge heart”
In Catawba County, Whitley was known for his ability to compete in the game of cornhole. He even won local tournaments.
“He had a huge heart,” Whitley’s friend Raymond Hush said.
Hush said he’s still in disbelief over what happened.
“I just hope that people can be more safe. Be more cautious of those waters,” Hush said. “It’s very very sad. And I’m heartbroken over it because I really loved Kevin a lot and a lot of people did.”
Oak Island told Channel 9 that they post surf and beach conditions on the town’s website and are encouraging residents to check it before heading into the water.
(WATCH BELOW: Dive team searching after possible drowning on Catawba River, sheriff says)
