Staunton man dies in South Nags Head surf

Rob Morris | June 21, 2012

Gregory Balsley

A 49-year-old visitor from Staunton, Va. died Wednesday after a lifeguard pulled him from the ocean near Limulus Street in South Nags Head.

Responding to cries for help, a Nags Head Ocean Rescue lifeguard brought Gregory Balsley and another member of his group, Justin Thomas, 21, to shore at about 2 p.m., according to a statement from the Town of Nags Head.

The victims received lifesaving measures by emergency services personnel and were taken to The Outer Banks Hospital by Dare County Emergency Medical Services. Balsley was declared dead at the hospital. Thomas is expected to recover fully.

Balsley’s father is Phil Balsley, who sang with the Statler Brothers, according to the Staunton News-Leader. He was a real estate agent.

A rip current was in the area, but it has not yet been determined if drowning was the primary cause of death, the statement said.

“The Town of Nags Head wished to express their condolences to Mr. Balsley’s family,” the statement said. “We would also like to remind everyone to swim near a lifeguard and follow the directions of public safety staff.”

Also in Wednesday a second person died, apparently of drowning, at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.That incident was reported around 4:15 p.m., according to National Park Service chief law enforcement ranger Paul Stevens.

Two couples were swimming in the ocean south of Nags Head — on Bodie Island near Ramp 4 — when they were caught in a rip current.

Sandra Gassby, 46, of Diamondhead, Miss., died in that incident.

According to the Park Service, her husband, Jeff, was able to swim with her to shore, but he was unable to keep her head above water.

CPR was started immediately, but Gassby could not be revived.

In addition to the National Park Service, Dare County Emergency Services responded to the incident.

According to the rip current threat report from the National Weather Service in Newport, N.C., there was a moderate chance of rip currents on the northern Outer Banks Wednesday.

Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves.

Rip currents are responsible for most drowning deaths on the seashore and the Outer Banks.

If you are caught in a rip current, the NWS advises that you should:

Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
Never fight against the current.
Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of.
Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle–away from the current–towards shore.
If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.
Rip current safety tips include:

Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
Never swim alone.
Learn how to swim in the surf. It’s not the same as swimming in a pool or lake.
Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out.
Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water. This is part of their job.
Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist along side these structures.
Pay especially close attention to children and elderly when at the beach. Even in shallow water, wave action can cause loss of footing.

For more information and for the daily rip current hazard report, go to www.erh.noaa.gov/mhx/RipHazard.html.

The Island Free Press contributed to this story.

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See what people are saying:

outer banker says:

Corolla has a wonderful free program that teaches children and adults about rip currents,etc. and what to do when you get caught up in one. Dare County….PLEASE!!! Let’s get programs like this started in each of our towns.

on June 21, 2012 @ 1:03 pm

Walela says:

To Outer Banker: Is there anything like this available in Hatteras? We visit OBX every summer, and rip currents are always a concern. We will be in Avon for a week in Aug with our grandson, and would certainly take advantage of such a program.

on June 23, 2012 @ 8:26 am

HAPPY BARRACUDA says:

Swim near the OUTER BANKS FREE LIFEGUARDS

SURFERS

on June 23, 2012 @ 1:34 pm

OBX Lover says:

To the Town of Nags Head:

Here is your reps quote from above; ““The Town of Nags Head wished to express their condolences to Mr. Balsley’s family,” the statement said. “We would also like to remind everyone to swim near a lifeguard and follow the directions of public safety staff.”

Given those comments, how about putting some lifeguard stands in South Nags Head? After all, you have them further north and surely the swimmers’ lives in South Nags Head are as important as those in the northern section?

on June 23, 2012 @ 2:48 pm

KHer says:

OBX Lover, this happened in South Nags Head just below the newly posted lifeguard stand at Limulus.

BTW, this is the newest stand in the town.

Once caught in a rip, if you don’t know what to do, you’re in big trouble, even if a guard responds right away as in this case.

on June 23, 2012 @ 5:20 pm

Local says:

I might add that advising swimmers to swim near surfers might give them a false sense of security. We are often out in conditions that are not safe for swimming, and one should never assume that we are watching the swimmers by the shore. RARELY am I watching people in close to shore, if the swell is big we are focused on that, and often we are out much farther. Bottom line is if you are not an experienced swimmer or experienced in swimming in the ocean, educate yourself, use some common sense, don’t assume someone is there to save you even if there are lifeguards, and maybe take some sort of flotation device in the water with you.

on June 25, 2012 @ 8:43 am

Pat Avon says:

No lifeguards in Avon..not around here..Not at most access areas..the Parks service is spending more on law enforcement
and bird protection, then on human safety..and no one with vehicles to help..so be careful..they have to remove the cables on the ramps before they can save you…

on June 25, 2012 @ 8:56 am

Bill says:

Yea, regarding the post noting to swim near surfers, that is bad advice. For one, surfers usually are looking out to sea for the next incoming set. Additionally, the last thing a surfer wants is a free swimmer in the surf zone when riding a board down the line. Also for the swimmers, it can be quite dangerous swimming around surfers who most are beginner to intermediate in experience, and often have boards flying out from under their feet in the whitewater which could easily strike a nearby swimmer.

All in all, stick with the lifeguards. They are out there for a reason, and all “inexperienced” ocean swimmers should remain near guards. Even if you are an experienced in a lap pool in central PA, its a completely different ball game, even in a calm Atlantic ocean. When it gets rough, then it really can be dangerous even if the red flags are not flying.

on June 25, 2012 @ 3:45 pm

Bill says:

Also, anyone know if there are any “contractual” guards available on the islands for places such as Avon or Hatteras. Basically, families renting big beach houses may actually be interesting in hiring a certified guard service for their stay. Could be a business op, if not already available?

on June 25, 2012 @ 3:48 pm

outer banker says:

Walela,
The only program I know of is in Corolla which is in Currituck County. Please, if you have the opportunity, encourage ALL of Dare County to get on board with this safety program. Hope you have a wonderful vacation

on June 25, 2012 @ 3:49 pm

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