18-year-old from Columbus dies in North Carolina drowning accident

NAGS HEAD, N.C. (WNCT) -- An 18-year-old from Columbus drowned Wednesday in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Representatives with the Nags Head Fire and Rescue and Nags Head Police Department confirmed a body was pulled from the ocean Wednesday.

They confirmed the body was an 18-year-old from Columbus. Their identity has yet to be released.

Officers were called to the Gull Street Public Beach Access on South Virginia Dare Trail about 2:51 p.m. for swimmers in distress. Two of the swimmers safely made it back to shore, with one having been assisted by a lifeguard. The third swimmer was not seen at the time.

Aerial support was called in but before their arrival, a Nags Head police officer found the third swimmer with help from a drone. The third swimmer was brought to shore by a lifeguard and taken to a hospital. Despite medical intervention, the third swimmer was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The other swimmers were taken to a hospital for treatment.