OCEAN CITY — A local girl lost her life Saturday evening after getting swept away by a wave while swimming with friends in shallow waters near the Inlet.
Around 7 p.m. on Saturday, Ocean City Fire Department and Beach Patrol rescue swimmers responded to the beach at the Inlet after Ocean City Communications received a call regarding a young swimmer in distress. The initial call reported the young swimmer, an 8-year-old local girl, had fallen from the rocks at the Inlet jetty, but according to an official release from the Town of Ocean City, witnesses reported she was swimming in shallow water when she was struck by a wave.
The young girl was overcome by the wave and was pulled into the ocean. Minutes later, an on-duty Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) patrol vessel responded to the area and located the child nearly a quarter mile offshore. The victim, whose name has not been released, was taken to the U.S. Coast Guard Station where Ocean City EMS began lifesaving efforts.
The child was immediately taken to Atlantic General Hospital where she was later pronounced deceased. An autopsy to confirm the cause and manner of death was conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, the results of which have not been made public. Ocean City officials mourned the loss of the child this week.
“It is always heartbreaking when we lose someone on our beaches, but the loss of a child is simply unimaginable,” said Ocean City Communications Director Jessica Waters this week. “The sympathy we have for the family and loved ones of this little girl are hard to put into words, but we continue to pray for them as they go through this terrible time.”
Sunday’s tragic loss marked the second time in a little over a week a swimmer drowned off the coast of Ocean City. On Saturday, Aug. 29, a 45-year-old man was swimming in thigh- to waist-deep water when a flash rip current began to pull him into deeper water.
Lifeguards were able to pull the victim from the water and began CPR. The lifeguards continued lifesaving efforts until Ocean City Emergency Services arrived and transported him. However, during transport the victim suffered a cardiac arrest or other medical episode and he was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Saturday’s tragedy occurred during a time when the beach patrol was not on duty, reinforcing the mantra “Keep your toes in the sand until the guard is in the stand.” Heading into mid-September, the Beach Patrol ranks are thinning and there are less guards on stands each day.