NC beachgoers rescue child caught in rip current
Officials said that "tragedy was averted" on Thursday after strangers rescued a child from a rip current at a Brunswick County beach.
Posted — UpdatedSeveral people went into the water and dragged a child's body up onto the shore in Oak Island, officials said.
The child was rescued safely by the time first responders arrived.
"Please remember to talk about rip currents with those in your beach party," Oak Island Water Rescue posted on Facebook.
Water rescue officials said there is a moderate rip current risk along Oak Island's coast again on Friday. Crashing waves will be as high as 4 feet.
"Enjoy the sand today but be weary of the rip currents. If you do go into the ocean, please do not go in deeper than your knees," rescue officials wrote on Facebook.
A rip current is a strong, narrow current of water that flows away from shore. If you're caught in one, don't fight it: Stay calm, swim parallel to the beach until you break free, then swim back to shore at an angle.
Officials say that, when people panic, they can drown.
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