Union official drowns in surf on Ocracoke Island

A man swimming with his wife on northern Ocracoke Island drowned late Friday afternoon, according to a Hyde County statement.

Dispatchers received a 911 call about 5 p.m. reporting a drowning bear Ramp 59.

The Ocracoke Volunter Fire Department, Hyde County EMS, National Park Service and Hyde County Sherriff’s Department responded and found a man had drowned. His wife made it to shore safely.

A strong current and rough seas were reported along Outer Banks beaches, but there was no rip current alert.

The Policy Matters Ohio website identified him as Seth Rosen, vice president of the Communications Workers of America, District 4. He was a resident of Westlake, Ohio.

Rosen was also the chairman of the Board of Directors of Policy Matters Ohio, a non-profit economic policy research organization.