Tragic Search for Missing Swimmer Ends in Outer Banks
Corolla, NC – A search operation turned tragic this past Saturday afternoon when a 12-year-old boy went missing while swimming in the rough Atlantic waters off the Outer Banks. The incident unfolded around 12:40 p.m., where multiple swimmers faced distress in the waves near Persimmon Street.
Emergency Response
Emergency dispatchers received a frantic 911 call regarding the situation, prompting immediate action. Rescue lifeguards were already in the water, and additional teams were urgently deployed. By 12:42 p.m., the Currituck County Fire and Emergency Medical Services had been alerted and began their response, as firefighters readied themselves to assist in the search.
Initial Rescue Efforts
As search efforts commenced, lifeguards confirmed that one swimmer was unaccounted for and subsequently presumed submerged. The missing individual was later identified as Amir Abou, a resident of Woodbine, Maryland. Witnesses reported seeing numerous bystanders on the beach, looking on with concern as the rescue unfolded.
Search and Recovery
Over the next few hours, a coordinated search involved more than 50 first responders, including lifeguards, the Coast Guard, and additional emergency crews. Capt. Bob Pugh of Currituck Fire and EMS highlighted the use of lifeguards stationed on the beach, who monitored the ocean conditions and directed efforts from a strategic vantage point.
By 4:10 p.m., lifeguards conducting a line search on the shore located Amir in the water. He was quickly transported to an ambulance for assessment, but the harrowing circumstances became clear—he had been submerged for approximately three and a half hours. Despite attempts to provide aid, he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Community Response
The news has profoundly shaken the local community, with officials offering their heartfelt condolences to Amir’s family and friends during this painful time. Chief Ralph Melton remarked on the tragic nature of the event, emphasizing the risks posed by the surf conditions as outlined in the National Weather Service forecast, which had indicated a moderate risk of rip currents for that day.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of the ocean, even during peak summer vacation times.
