By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Heading into the Independence Day week holiday, when North Carolina beaches swell with visitors, swimmers at two islands were rescued from the surf this past week, with officials reminding folks about dangerous rip currents.
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In a couple of days this past week, three people swept away in the ocean were rescued at North Carolina islands — one north of Wilmington in Onslow County and the other in Brunswick County to the south.
The most recent rescue was on Friday at North Topsail Beach, when a swimmer could not reach shore at the north end near Beach Access 3, according to North Topsail Beach officials.
The North Topsail Beach Fire Department, along with police, responded and recovered the swimmer, who was then taken off the island for medical treatment, town officials said.
The North Topsail swimmer was a woman initially on a sandbar at the northern inlet of the island, but currents pulled her into deeper water, where she was struggling, according to a report by WCTI. Crews used personal watercraft during a 15-minute search before she was rescued.
North Topsail Beach ocean rescue crews at the north end of the island during previous training at the New River Inlet. Photo courtesy: North Topsail Beach 
North Topsail Beach crews in a CBS 17 file photo trying to revive a swimmer who was caught in rip currents at the island. 
North Topsail Beach ocean rescue crews at the north end of the island during a previous rescue at the New River Inlet. Photo courtesy: North Topsail Beach 
The north end warning of North Topsail Beach where sandbars vanish and strong currents at the inlet are dangerous, officials say. North Topsail Beach photo North Topsail Beach ocean rescue crews at the north end of the island during a previous rescue at the New River Inlet. Photo courtesy: North Topsail Beach 
Emma, Caroline, Nathaniel and Mikey who Ocean Isle Beach police called “the heroes” who saved two swimmers struggling in a rip current at the island last week. Photo courtesy: Ocean Isle Beach Police.
North Topsail Beach officials have warned many times about north end currents at the New River Inlet, where shallow sandbars abruptly end — dropping into deep water with dangerous currents.
Already in June, Marquest Andre Page Jr., 24 of Laurinburg, died after he went into the water at the inlet at the north end to save a drifting child. Page was overcome “by the current” at the inlet on June 1 and his body was later recovered, North Topsail officials said.
Also at the North Carolina coast, two other swimmers were rescued this past week from rip currents on Tuesday at Ocean Isle Beach in Brunswick County, officials said.
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During rough surf at the island, a few young adults spotted two swimmers calling for help and struggling in the surf while caught in a rip current, Ocean Isle Beach Police said.
The four “heroes” went into the water and grabbed the swimmers to keep them from drifting away, police said. The group first contacted 911.
“Working together, they were able to reach and safely bring both individuals back to shore. We are incredibly proud of the courage, quick thinking, and selflessness shown,” Ocean Isle police said.
Officers shared a photo on social media of Emma, Caroline, Nathaniel, and Mikey, who police called “the heroes.”
“Their actions helped bring two people safely back to their family, and we are thankful for a positive outcome to what could have been a tragic situation.
After alerting Beach Outreach Officers and ensuring 911 was contacted, they entered the water to assist as the swimmers were being swept farther down the shoreline.
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