A Raleigh man died Friday after an intense wave hit him at Oak Island, his family said.
Lee Dingle was in the ocean playing with his children when a wave forced his head to the ground, his wife said on social media.
His neck broke, and then his throat swelled, depriving his brain of oxygen.
“A powerful wave at the beach, something totally unexpected,” said April Schweitzer, a friend of the Dingles.
“There was just too much swelling to do anything for him,” she continued.
Dingle was 37.
By 7:30 p.m. Saturday, more than $78,000 was raised for his family on GoFundMe, surpassing its $50,000 goal.
