Surfer death at Avon Pier

Our family witnessed the death of a surfer today at Avon Pier in North Carolina. EMT and Paramedics pulled the body out of the water at 12:40pm today. As we saw the body being dragged to the ambulance, we overheard from fisherman in the area that the deceased was a 15-year-old from Wilmington, NC. His board was caught in the pilings.

Any news on the name of the young man?

His name is Craig Marshall

our prayers to his family. I see you are from Wilmington. The EMTs said he was with church group from Wilmington.

Our family were there today, too. As a family who've been coming to Avon to surf for almost 20 years, it was so heartbreaking to witness this tragedy. We saw the group of boys as they surveyed the waves before going out and they were so stoked -- it reminded me of my younger days on surf trips with my brother. I hope that through the grief they will never forget that love and love of life. Our sincerest condolences to Craig's family and friends.

Craig actually went to topsail high school he was one of my good friends, also my brother was on the trip with the boys. Craig was an amazing kid who always had a smile on his face and lived life to the fullest, shortly before this trip he gave his life to christ so we know he is in a safer place. Topsail high school has really been hit hard with the recent loss so if you could please keep not only Craig Marshalls family, the boys on the trip, but also this whole community and school everyone around here loved Craig and will miss him alot.

i also am not sure why it says im from camp lejeune i am actually from topsail island

I was at the Pier also and will never, ever forget Craig and his faithful and loving friends. I was so very shocked and saddened as we began to realize what had happened just below us. I prayed then for comfort for Craig's family and friends. I will continue to do so whenever I think of this young man. I am so gratified to hear that Craig lived life to the fullest AND that he had accepted Christ. I do know he is safe now, and from my mother's heart I will pray for his family. Please know that he was surrounded by love and concern and such strenuous and ardent attempts to reach him.

craig was in my civics class and he was a really good kid, he had alot of friends and he will be missed, i hope he is now happy up there. rip craig

A wonderful young man who's passing has already had an incredible impact on the communities involved. Expecting 500 to 600 teens at Scotts Hill Baptist Church tonight and even more tommorrow for his memorial at 11:00am. Craig is leading more and more teens each day to the Lord by the example he set while here with us. As a father of teens he has tremendously impacted me, thanks Craig!

For those who were there Friday morning when this tragedy unfolded, can you shed any light onto what happened? Have know Craig and his family for years and though we know he is in a better place we just can't seem to understand how something like this happened. Craig keep shining from above...much love!

rip cm wrote:

For those who were there Friday morning when this tragedy unfolded, can you shed any light onto what happened? Have know Craig and his family for years and though we know he is in a better place we just can't seem to understand how something like this happened. Craig keep shining from above...much love!

Boys had just entered the water north of the pier, as I understand it the waves were breaking from the NE towards the pier. Huge wave crashed down on the boys, when they came up Craig was gone. The hope is that he was knocked out by the force of the wave pushing him into the shallow sand below. He was deceased when the emergency swimmer found him. If they had choosen to surf south of the pier they would of been pushed away from the pier not into it.(This info comes from a non-surfer, me, who has friends that were there).

One of Craig's fellow surfers posted a touching note with a lot of detail on another board. I don't have the link but I'm sure you can find it. I would add that no one could have gotten to Craig in time to save him. Believe me, if I hadn't been there I'd be wondering WHY someone couldn't get out there and cut the leash; but I was there and while I didn't see the whole sequence, and didn't understand what was going on at first, I know that it happened quickly and before the rescue people had even unloaded their equipment. Why didn't someone jump off the pier and try to save him? I think that would have meant death to the rescuer, and again, I do not think it would have made a difference as far as saving the young man. He was trapped by that leash and board before anyone knew where he was. It is so awful. I didn't even know him and my heart is aching for his friends and family. I thought over and over about the 'what if's' and 'if only's', but I believe in my heart that the tragedy was inevitable once the leash got wrapped around the piling. My prayers are with his family and friends. I put my hand on the shoulder of one of his friends and asked if there was anything I could do to help. He shook his head sadly. I do want him to know that I meant it, and that I did do something, I prayed. God be with you all. Joy

djk wrote:

craig was in my civics class and he was a really good kid, he had alot of friends and he will be missed, i hope he is now happy up there.
rip craig

Its realliy sad that the park service made the piers take down the sign on each side that said "Danger no swimming or fishing within 300 feet. Maybe this would have helped.