State researcher dies while doing field work in North Carolina bay, sheriff says

A researcher with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries died while doing field work near the state’s barrier islands, according to investigators.

The body of James Mark Hamric, 52, was found Wednesday, Sept. 10, in Turnagain Bay, the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

An official cause of death has not been released, but there are indications he drowned.

“The victim ... was gathering water sample collections in the bay as part of a researcher effort,” the sheriff’s office said.

“During the activity, the boat he and his colleagues were working from began to drift away. In an attempt to keep the boat from drifting further away, Mr. Hamric began swimming toward the vessel while wearing waders. He reportedly went under water while trying to reach the vessel.”

He was found “within minutes” by his companions, who began performing CPR, officials said. Their efforts failed to revive him.

An investigation is underway, but foul play is not suspected, the sheriff’s office said.

Hamric lived in Atlantic Beach, officials said.

Turnagain Bay is about a 170-mile drive southeast from Raleigh.