Donald Michael Boles died attempting to rescue Zachary K. Crumb and Zoe A. Crumb from drowning, Carolina Beach, North Carolina, October 7, 2017. Crumb, 29, and his daughter Zoe, 7, were swimming in the Atlantic Ocean near a sandbar about 150 feet from shore when they were caught in a rip current that began to carry them farther from the beach. Crumb called for help. Boles, 60, code inspector, who was Crumb’s father-in-law and Zoe’s grandfather, was on the beach and became aware of the situation. Boles waded a short distance into the water and, despite the strong current, began to swim toward Crumb and Zoe. Boles grasped Zoe and attempted to return her to shore, but they became separated, and Boles was carried farther from the beach. Boles was seen floating unconscious in the ocean about 500 feet from shore, taken aboard a boat, and transported to a nearby dock. Crumb and Zoe were removed from the water by rescue personnel. Zoe was nearly exhausted and had swallowed water. She was hospitalized overnight and recovered. Crumb was not injured. Boles could not be revived and was pronounced dead; he had drowned. 89417-10048
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