NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 54-year-old man died after washing ashore unconscious this afternoon between Flounder and Drum avenues, the Volusia County Beach Patrol said.
The swimmer, whose indentity was not released because relatives had not yet been contacted was given CPR by lifeguards who spotted him on the beach just after 3 p.m. He was rushed by EVAC ambulance to Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach where he was pronounced dead, said Capt. Scott Petersohn, spokesman for the Beach Patrol.
Petersohn said he was "wooried something like this would happen" considering how swollen the waves have become in recent days.
The victim was seen floating in the waves and was apparently "body surfing," which wasn't a good idea, Petersohn said, because the surf is ripe for rip currents, adding, "Most people have had the common sense to stay out of the water" in conditions like this.
The waves are being fueled by the passing of Hurricane Bill and the Beach Patrol has issued rip current advisories.
Though waves swelled to 6 to 8 feet today, they are expected to return to the normal 3 to 5 feet on Sunday, the Beach Patrol said.