5 Rescued From Ocean City Rip Current

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) --Beachgoers in Ocean City get quite a scare when they become caught in dangerous rip currents.

Jessica Kartalija reports this all happened while Ocean City lifeguards are off duty for the season.

33rd Street and Philadelphia Avenue in Ocean City -- the scene of an intense rescue situation Monday afternoon.

"I saw a lot of ambulances and I turned over and I saw these guys and people running down the beach just to get in the water and help, because I guess there was no lifeguards," one bystander said.

"We arrived to find five victims in the water, two kids, three adults," a rescuer said. "'Two adults had gone out to try and help the kids and were overtaken by the surf."

There have been more than 2,600 water rescues in Ocean City this year, many because of strong rip currents.

Wind, waves, swell, tides and even the sandy ocean floor can cause these rip currents to form.

The Ocean City Beach Patrol responded to the rescue as did members of the Ocean City Fire Department.

"Just a reminder, there aren't any lifeguards on duty at this time and please stay out of the water -- the rip currents are really strong," an Ocean City official said. "It's recommended you stay out until further notice."

A total of six people had to be rescued Monday, five were transported to area hospitals. Lifeguard won't be back on duty until May.