SURF CITY, N.C. (WITN) – The Surf City Fire Department is warning beachgoers to be careful when going in the water following a drowning that happened Saturday.

Drew Clemo and his family just kicked off their vacation in Surf City, but as they were settling into their rental home for the week, they saw tragedy strike.

“We were all inside, we had pretty much all unpacked, and then my wife got up with my daughter just to look at the ocean,” said Clemo. “Then we saw paramedics literally on the beach and then maybe three or four guys had a man coming out the ocean. Immediately started CPR, but when they dropped him he kind of flopped, so we knew he was at least unconscious at the time.”

The Surf City Ocean Rescue team pulled 41-year-old Sean Davis from Hampstead from the water Saturday afternoon. The team tried to give him CPR, but Davis ultimately died. A family member of Davis said he died a hero, as he was trying to save some of his family’s children from a rip current. This sudden event has beachgoers feeling uneasy, especially as Hurricane Ernesto’s impacts are still being felt along the Carolina coast.

“If I knew there was a drowning, I would have spent less time in the water for sure, and I probably would have been more careful,” said beachgoer Ethan Wright. “It was picking me up and throwing me around, and I feel like I’m a pretty good swimmer, but I was still getting thrown around out there.”

Red flags stood at every Surf City beach access point Sunday, warning beachgoers to beware of the risk of rip currents when going into the water. The Surf City Fire Department says they’ve gotten close to a dozen rescue calls this weekend alone and urge visitors to take extra precautions when braving the waters.

City officials want to remind everyone that you should never swim alone in rough conditions and if you see someone in distress to call 911.

The Ocean Rescue team also wants to remind swimmers if you do get caught in a rip current, you should swim parallel with the shore until you’re out of the current.