TOPSAIL BEACH, N.C. — A 29-year-old father drowned off Topsail Beach last week while trying to rescue his son and wife after they were swept up in a rip current.
News outlets reported Topsail Beach police were called to the beach strand near the Sea Vista Motel just after 3 p.m. last Friday.
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Witnesses said they saw the child getting swept up first, followed by his mother who went into the water to help him.
Officials said the father, Christopher Roberson, tried to rescue them, but he started to struggle himself.
A bystander, who asked to remain anonymous, pulled all three from the water.
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First responders performed CPR on Roberson, but they said he could not be revived and he later died at the hospital.
Topsail Beach Police Chief Samuel Gervase said rip current warning flags were posted Friday.