photo credit: OgnjenO // Shutterstock

A science teacher from the Triad has been identified as the victim of a beach drowning on the Crystal Coast on Sunday,

Pine Knoll Shores police say Ernest Foster, Jr. died Sunday after being caught in a rip current. Three children were sent to the hospital.

The 38-year-old Foster was an 8th grade science teacher at Clemmons Middle School in Forsyth County. Prior to that, he taught biology at Smith High School in Greensboro.

Town officials say that just before 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon, emergency crews were called to the Memorial Park beach access for a water rescue of multiple victims.

They found two bystanders were attempting to help the three children in the water.

Officials say that one child and a Good Samaritan were assisted to the shore by a Pine Knoll Shores officer.

The other two children and another Good Samaritan were brought to the shore via jet ski by EMS.

After several minutes of searching, Atlantic Beach lifeguards found Foster’s body.

The town says Foster was originally from Wilson County.

Source: WITN