Rough waters off Hilton Head beach leads to vacationer’s drowning Monday afternoon

A 64-year-old vacationer drowned after getting caught in hazardous waters off the shore of a Palmetto Dunes beach Monday afternoon, marking the second drowning death on Hilton Head beaches this summer.

David Stewart Owens of Huntington, PA drowned about 50 yards off the shore near Hilton Head’s Marriott resort just before 4:30 p.m. Monday, according to Beaufort County Coroner David Ott. After unsuccessful attempts at CPR, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Owens was spotted by beachgoers and pulled to the shore by lifeguards, according to Hilton Head beach patrol spokesperson Mike Wagner. He appeared to be swimming alone.

At the time of the drowning, lifeguard stations had yellow flags posted, signaling rough conditions, according to Bob Bromage, Hilton Head Island’s director of public safety.

Monday’s incident follows another drowning on Hilton Head’s Singleton Beach earlier this month. 42-year-old Jonathan King, who was visiting with his wife for a day trip from Rincon, GA, drowned after being pulled underwater by a rip current. He was pronounced at the scene after resuscitation attempts from nearby physicians and Hilton Head Fire Rescue crews.

Drownings are a rarity on Hilton Head Island beaches. Prior to this year, the last death in island waters was in August 2017, when 61-year-old islander Andrew Harper drowned off the coast of a Sea Pines beach. Witnesses said a rip current may have caused the drowning.

This report will be updated as more information becomes available.