Rip currents blamed for three drowning deaths on NC coast

Authorities said Todd Buchy, 43, of Worthington, Ohio, was found face down in the surf Thursday afternoon along the Outer Banks. Emergency crews could not revive him.

Officials said Buchy was vacationing with a large family group. 

In Salter Path, officials said Tony Cilluffo, 41, of Washington, was found floating in the water not breathing Thursday evening and died at the hospital.

Not far away, in Atlantic Beach, rescuers said John Moore, 68, of Raleigh, was discovered floating on his back unconscious in the waves Friday afternoon. He also could not be revived.

Authorities said rip currents have been strong this week all along the North Carolina coast.

Moore's body was taken to the local medical examiner's office for an autopsy. His wife, Elizabeth said he might have had a heart attack.

The couple owned a condo at Atlantic Beach and were there on vacation, she said.

Moore was retired from North Carolina Facility Services, where he had reviewed the condition of care in nursing homes across the state.