Swimmer dies at Maryland’s Assateague Island after leaders name for elevated lifeguard staffing

A swimmer died at Maryland’s Assateague Island National Seashore on Thursday, July 24, weeks after state leaders known as on the Trump administration to revive lifeguard staffing. 

The 18-year-old man was close to the southern finish of the Chinconteague Beach lot round 4:15 p.m. when a relative ran down the seaside to inform a lifeguard that two swimmers have been struggling within the water, based on the National Park Service (NPS).

Swimmer dies at Assateague Island

One of the struggling swimmers was rescued, however the man was unconscious when he was pulled from the water. 

Officials instantly began CPR, and the 18-year-old was taken to a hospital the place he was pronounced useless, NPS stated. 

The space the place the person was swimming was almost 150 yards from the lifeguarded zone of the seaside, officers stated. The 37-mile-long island is in Maryland and Virginia, although the Maryland district doesn’t have lifeguards on responsibility, according to NPS.

Maryland leaders push for extra lifeguards

The incident comes shortly after Maryland Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks emphasised that the low lifeguard staffing at Assateague Island created a public security danger.

“Drownings happen in minutes, and there is no substitute for attentive lifeguards specifically assigned to monitoring water safety at Assateague,” the senators stated in a joint letter. “Furthermore, NPS’s current limited safety measures burden neighboring beach safety and emergency response efforts, stretching services too thin and making the entire area less safe for residents and visitors alike.”

The senators urged the Trump administration to fill all vacant lifeguard positions on the park after federal funds cuts led to low staffing ranges. 

The administration laid off almost 1,000 NPS workers in February as a part of a cost-cutting effort. A hiring freeze was additionally in place by way of July 15.  

“The reason there are no lifeguards at Assateague is honestly a symptom of the chaos and dysfunction that has been impacting this agency since the beginning of this administration,” stated Ed Stierli, the senior director of the Mid-Atlantic area National Parks Conservation Association. 

In a press release to CBS News, NPS known as the lifeguard scarcity a “nationwide concern.”

Swimmer security at Assateague Island

Assateague Island is understood for sturdy rip currents. Lifeguards made 24 rescues on the island in 2024, based on the letter from the senators. 

NPS officers advocate that swimmers take the next precautions:

• Swim with a buddy
• Supervise kids whereas within the water
• Check for rip present advisories on NOAA’s beach forecast.
• Do not bounce or dive from docks at any time
• Stay conscious of close by boats
• Use flotation vests if wanted
• Swim sober