DATE: Sunday, August 10, 1997               TAG: 9708100063

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MILES DANIELS, STAFF WRITER  

DATELINE: NAGS HEAD, N.C.                   LENGTH:   32 lines

HAMPTON MAN DROWNS WHILE SWIMMING AT NAGS HEAD BEACH

Despite frantic efforts to save him, a Hampton man drowned Saturday afternoon as his family watched helplessly.

Lawrence Lee Hubbard, 57, was in the ocean near Milepost 17 in South Nags Head when he suddenly went under around 3:15 p.m.

Officials said they have not determined whether water conditions or a health problem was responsible.

``We do have confirmed reports of the victim having prior heart conditions,'' said Kevin Zorc, Nags Head Deputy Fire Chief. ``But at this point in time we're not sure of the actual cause of death.''

Zorc said that waves were 2 to 3 feet and there were moderate rip currents throughout the area.

Hubbard was submerged for nearly 1 1/2 minutes before rescue personnel pulled him to shore. Dave Elder and Bryan Wrenn, both with Nags Head Ocean Rescue, were first on the scene.

Nags Head police and fire rescue crews and the Dare County EMS arrived shortly after.

``The man was being pulled from the water when we arrived,'' Zorc said. ``We spent about 15 minutes trying to revive him.''

The man was pronounced dead at the Outer Banks Medical Center.

About 50 bystanders watched the rescue efforts. Hubbard was swimming in an area patrolled by roving lifeguards.

Zorc said the surf conditions were not unusually dangerous. KEYWORDS: DROWNING

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