Three people saved off the coast of Corolla Wednesday

Three people were saved off the coast of Corolla Wednesday when their floats drifted more than a mile off shore.

2026-04-22

Corolla Fire and Rescue Squad reported that strong winds from the southwest  caused the floats to go so far from the beach.

Capt. Chet Fleming with Currituck Fire and EMS spotted the trio offshore, then used a surf board to check that they were not planning to "go for it" and swim back to the beach, Corolla Rescue posted to Facebook.  

Lifeguard Sam Cherry took one surfboard out to guide one of the people back to shore. Mike Cherry used a Corolla Beach Rescue JetSki to shuttle the other two to safety.

Currituck EMS treated all three for hypothermia. (Corolla Fire and Rescue noted that the water tempertature a mile out was 20 degress warmer than right off the beach.)