Amir Abou Obituary, July 27 drowning victim identified as 12-year-old boy from Woodbine MD
Currituck Fire-EMS has identified the boy who drowned in the waters off Corolla on Saturday, July 27 as Amir Abou, 12, of Woodbine, MD, who was visiting with his family.
Below is a full report provided by the agency of the tragic events.
On Saturday, at approximately 12:40 p.m., the Currituck County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting multiple individuals in distress in the water near the end of Persimmon Street. Ocean Rescue Lifeguards from Bismark Street were already in the water when the call came in, and additional Ocean Rescue Lifeguards were immediately deployed to the scene.
By 12:42 p.m., Fire and EMS units were dispatched to assist. The Ocean Rescue shift supervisor confirmed that one swimmer was unaccounted for and presumed submerged. Resources were promptly committed to a line search, and a helicopter was requested from the Coast Guard to assist with the search efforts.
Fire and EMS teams were strategically positioned on beach access stairs to provide elevated observation for the missing swimmer and ensure the safety of personnel in the water. Additionally, preparations were made to receive the missing swimmer as a patient, and an extra rescue swimmer was deployed to support Ocean Rescue.
Upon arrival, command was assumed by Captain Bob Pugh, who coordinated operations for the remainder of the incident.
Ocean Rescue managed the in-water search, rescue, and recovery operation, deploying over 20 lifeguards and a jet ski. The Coast Guard dispatched an MH-60 helicopter to aid in the search from the air,
coordinated by Coast Guard Sector North Carolina. Direct communication was maintained with the Coast Guard command center via phone and the aircraft via radio. Due to the distance and time required for Coast Guard surface units to respond, it was determined that their deployment would not be effective for this operation.