Lifeguard tower at sunset
Officials in Nags Head, North Carolina have released the name of a teenager who tragically drowned on July 3rd. The victim was identified as Ibrahim Sankoh, an 18-year-old from Columbus, Ohio. Sankoh was visiting the Outer Banks as part of a vacation.
The incident unfolded just before 3:00 PM near the Gull Street public beach access on South Virginia Dare Trail when three swimmers were reported to be in distress. Two of the swimmers managed to make it back to the shore, one of whom was assisted by a Nags Head lifeguard. The third swimmer, later identified as Sankoh, could not be found.
Upon the report of the missing swimmer, a Nags Head police officer deployed a drone as part of the search effort. The drone managed to locate the distressed teenager, after which lifeguards brought him ashore. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the lifeguards and medical staff who responded to the scene, the teenager was pronounced dead upon arrival at The Outer Banks Hospital.
The National Weather Service indicated that the area was experiencing moderate rip current threats at the time of the drowning incident. Rip currents are powerful, fast-moving channels of water that can pose a deadly risk to swimmers, especially those unprepared or unaware of their dangers.
This tragic incident has left the community in shock and mourning. The bereaved family, friends, and the residents of both the Outer Banks and Sankoh’s home town in Columbus, Ohio, are coming together to remember him and offer condolences to the grieving family.
Those who knew Sankoh remembered him as a compassionate and full of life young man. His vibrant spirit, they say, will be greatly missed. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his family, and tributes have been pouring in from all those who had the pleasure to know him.