OC officials: Swimmer dies after water rescue

Ocean City officials said a 17-year-old swimmer drowned in the area of 92nd Street Friday afternoon.

A 17-year-old male was pronounced dead at Atlantic General Hospital after being caught in a rip current in the ocean off 92nd Street, according to Jessica Waters, Ocean City's communications manager. The victim's name has not been released at this time.

According to Waters, public safety officials received a call for a water rescue at about 2 p.m. Friday when the victim was caught in a rip current and submerged under water. Ocean City Beach Patrol surf rescue technicians were the first in the water and were assisted by personnel from the Ocean City Fire Department, Ocean City Police Department, United States Coast Guard, Maryland Natural Resources Police and Maryland State Police. In all 30 rescue swimmers participated in the effort.

Waters said a single engine aircraft taking part in the OC Air Show also offered assistance.

Maryland State Police Lt. Walter Kerr said his agency was participating in the search via helicopter when Ocean City Beach Patrol responders located the victim just before 3 p.m.

"I'm sorry it wasn't a better outcome," he said.

An 18-year-old Burtonsville, Md. man drowned in Ocean City on June 2. Before that, the last time a swimmer died while lifeguards were on duty was in 2007. As a busy weekend approaches, resort officials remind beachgoers to check in with the lifeguard on duty. Lifeguards can provide information on beach conditions including rip currents and shorebreaks.