19-year-old pulled from ocean in KDH, flown out of area for medical treatment

A Dare MedFlight helicopter is pictured flying above houses. (Photo courtesy Dare County)

By staff reports

KILL DEVIL HILLS — A 19-year-old man was airlifted to an out-of-area hospital Tuesday evening after being pulled from the Atlantic Ocean near Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills and after being briefly sent to the hospital in Nags Head, according to a Town of Kill Devil Hills press release.

On Tuesday, June 24, shortly before 6 p.m., the Town of Kill Devil Hills’ police department, fire department and ocean rescue, along with Dare County Emergency Medical Services, responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a 19-year-old man found floating face-down in the ocean near Avalon Pier, the press release issued Wednesday afternoon said.

No name was provided for the injured man.

“According to witnesses, the individual had been skimboarding near the pier when he fell and appeared to strike one of the pier’s pilings,” the release said.

A bystander pulled the victim from the water, and a town police officer arrived shortly afterward and began first aid until additional emergency personnel arrived to continue medical treatment, the release said.

“Following immediate life-saving measures, the victim was transported off the beach and taken by Dare County EMS to the Outer Banks Hospital,” the release continued. “He was then airlifted by Dare MedFlight to another hospital for further treatment.”

The man is in the intensive care unit, Town of Kill Devil Hills spokesperson Rachel Tackett said in a Wednesday evening email.

The town in its press release extended gratitude to the bystanders for their swift action and attention, as well as to responding emergency personnel and medical teams for their coordinated efforts.

Lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day in Kill Devil Hills. A list of fixed guard stands is available on the town website.

If no lifeguard is present when an emergency occurs, people should immediately call 911, the release said.

Outer Banks Insider compiled a list of beach accesses with fixed lifeguard stands for the 2025 season from Corolla to Ocracoke Island. That article is available here.

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This article was updated at 8:11 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, with the updated hospital condition.

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