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Rosedale Man Among 2 Killed By Strong Rip Currents In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, Md. (WJZ) -- Deadly rip currents. Two lives are lost in Ocean City due to rough surf.

Derek Valcourt has more on several water rescues in Ocean City.

Swimming restrictions remain in place after lifeguards plucked several swimmers from the dangerous waters Wednesday. Two didn't survive.

With a hurricane in Atlantic waters, Ocean City swimmers had been warned not to go in above knee depth. But just after noon Wednesday, strong rip currents began pulling swimmers out in waters over their heads.

Within 15 minutes, lifeguards had to rescue five people. One of them--a 52-year-old Pennsylvania man--could not be saved.

"I really felt badly for the man. They were giving him artificial respiration all the way through into the ambulance," one woman said.

"A lot of people were actually crying, actually, and really concerned about who it was if it wasn't one of their friends or not," a man said.

That wasn't the only tragedy. Hours later, 49-year-old John Onorato of Rosedale, Baltimore County was on a body board after beaches closed at 5:30 p.m. when he began to struggle.

"One of the sergeants was on his way back with equipment and saw the second victim," said Joe Theobald, Ocean City emergency services director. "Called additional help. They went in and were able to retrieve the individual."

Onorato didn't survive. His death follows a tough summer on Maryland beaches. Lifeguards have pulled hundreds from the waters. Don Pensaboma, 18, from Montgomery County is among the fatalities.

In fact, rip currents account for over 80 percent of surf beach rescues. They can overwhelm even experienced swimmers who are encouraged not to fight the current and swim parallel to shore.

"You should keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard's in the stand, which is just our way of saying please, please don't go in swimming if the lifeguards aren't on duty," said Lt. Ward Kovacs, Ocean City Beach Patrol.

Ocean City officials praised the actions of their lifeguards, saying without them things could have been a lot worse. Lifeguards will be watching the beaches through this Sunday. After that, lifeguard service on the beaches ends for the season.

Authorities say waters are much calmer in Ocean City, but for now, swimming restrictions remain in effect.

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