Couple from Pennsylvania drown at Nags Head

By Erin James
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 21, 2010

NAGS HEAD, N.C.

A husband and wife swimming off Nags Head on Friday became the latest victims in a string of drownings at the Outer Banks.

Benjamin Howe, 54, and Debra Sue Greene, 56, of Littlestown, Pa., were swimming in the ocean around the 8400 block of S. Old Oregon Inlet Road when they stepped off a sandbar. They were "unable to return to shore," according to a Town of Nags Head news release.

Emergency personnel administered CPR on the beach, and the couple was taken to the Outer Banks Hospital. They were both pronounced dead shortly afterward.

Waves were at a moderate height, according to the news release, but rip currents were not reported in the area of the drownings.

In the past two weeks, as many as three other s have drowned off the Outer Banks.

On Aug. 7, a 51-year-old Maryland man drowned off Ocracoke Island. A 37-year-old Vermont man was believed to have drowned Aug. 13 off Kill Devil Hills. A third man from Gloucester disappeared while swimming Wednesday morning near Oregon Inlet with friends. After an extensive search, the body of Brian Mouring, 19, was found on shore Thursday.

Erin James, (252) 441-1711, erin.james@pilotonline.com

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.

Recent drownings...

Submitted by btek on Sun, 08/22/2010 at 9:15 pm.

It is very sad, and happens too frequently... thoughts and sympathy to the families.

An interesting/ironic fact to note, that according to the reports, the last name of the man in this week's drowning also had the same last name (Howe) as the victim from the drowning at Kill Devil Hills the Friday before.

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/08/rip-currents-claim-second-life-outer-banks?cid=srch

Probably unlikely, but wonder if there is any relation between the victims?

Sad fact

Submitted by L.B. on Sat, 08/21/2010 at 3:16 pm.

Having lived my 45 years of life on the coast between Va Beach and Buxton and being an avid surfer for half of that, I've seen this sad situation happen too often. Inland visitors come to the ocean and have no idea of the dangers of swimming and playing in even the calm waters of the ocean. I myself have seen or assisted many people to shore while surfing after they float too far out or reach panic mode in waves or deep water. I wish these folks would learn and respect the dangers of the ocean.