UPDATED: Kill Devil Hills man dies in rough surf

Published 11:15 pm Saturday, July 7, 2018

A Kill Devil Hills man died Saturday  after being reported missing in rough surf in Kill Devil Hills.

The incident happened about 12:30 p.m., not long after officials put up red flags to indicate no swimming on Outer Banks beaches.

The swimmer was spotted in the water in the area of Fourth Street and was unable unable to return to shore, according to a news release from the Town of Kill Devil Hills. The nearshore current was strong and moved the swimmer quickly to the south. Moments later, lifeguard crews at Second Street entered the water to assist, and the unresponsive swimmer was pulled from the ocean.

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CPR was immediately initiated and maintained by KDH lifeguards, with the assistance of KDH Fire Department crews. Dare County Emergency Services transported the swimmer to Outer Banks Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, the release said.

In a post on their website, Gallop Funeral Services identified the victim as 62-year-old Paul Dennis Bindulski of Kill Devil Hills.

“The heart-broken survivors include his three brothers Mark, John, and Stephen; his two sisters, Lillian and Mary; their families, and a host of other relatives, and friends. As the family copes with the untimely loss of Paul, confirmed details about services will be posted,” Gallop wrote.

A tropical depression stirred up rough seas and rip currents along the Outer Banks Saturday. Red flags were flying, indicating unsafe conditions for any swimmers.

Bindulski is the sixth person to die in ocean-related fatalities this year. On June 29, six swimmers were rescued and a New York man died in rip currents in Avon. Between June 3 and June 6, three men died in ocean-related incidents at the seashore, two in one day. And in April, 4-year-old Wesley Belisle of New Hampshire was swept away while walking on the beach in Kitty Hawk with his mom.

The Ocean Rescue Division of the KDH Fire Department reminds everyone to obey posted flags at beaches:

Red = no swimming

Yellow = strong currents, swim with caution

If ever in doubt, ask a lifeguard, and always follow the advice of the lifeguard. You can also sign up for text alerts from local lifeguards. Click here for details.