Scottsburg man drowns at Emerald Isle


Fourty-one year old Troy Strickland of Scottsburg drowned on Wednesday afternoon at Emerald Isle, N.C., while attempting to save a young girl from dangerous ocean riptides.

He and wife Jessica were visiting Emerald Isle all week, staying at The Islander Hotel. According to his wife, Strickland entered the water to attempt to offer assistance to a person in distress in the ocean in the 9000 block of Emerald Isle.

Despite red flag warnings of the rip current, numerous individuals entered the ocean, after water rescue personnel had to respond to six different calls in the early afternoon hours. The two most serious came only six minutes apart and nearly two miles away.

In all rescue and lifeguard personnel rescued a total of 20 people in the six calls.

In addition to Strickland, six other individuals were transported via ambulance to the hospital and all are expected to recover from these incidents.

Unfortunately efforts to revive Strickland were unsuccessful. The drowning happened at 2:24 p.m. on Wednesday.

Strickland was a manager for the Halifax County softball travel team league, Halifax Heat, and a cherished member of the local sports community.

In a social media post, Town of Emerald Isle extended its deepest condolences to the family as officials are working to assist the family at this difficult time.

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