A surfer who was pulled from the ocean unconscious on Friday afternoon, Aug 20, died a short time later at the hospital, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

Edgar Osbourne, 67, who was a native of Margate, was surfing with some friends on an unguarded beach near the Margate fishing pier at about 4 pm when other surfers noticed that he was unconscious in the water and pulled him to shore. Multiple people then called 911.

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Margate Fire Chief Dan Adams, who was one of the first responders on the scene, told the Press of Atlantic City they tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Osbourne.

“Our personnel initiated CPR and other lifesaving methods, and transported him to ACMC,” Adams said. He said a defibrillator shocked him once but it did not return a normal heart rhythm.

There was a high risk of rip currents on Friday but Adams said the surf did not appear to be unusually high or rough at the time.

Osbourne did have a laceration on his forehead but it's not known how that occurred. He was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus at about 4:38 p.m. Friday.

Police said Osborne died at the hospital and an autopsy was performed. No results were immediately available and it is not known what caused him to lose consciousness.

Osborne’s family said in his obituary that he was a private pilot, father of three and a grandfather. He grew up in Margate and attended Atlantic City High School.

Ed had a passion for flying which led him to receiving his private pilot license at Bader Field Airport. He then went on to attend Emory Aviation in Denver, Colorado where he received his instrument and multi engine license and Sierra Air Academy in Oakland, California for his commercial license. Ed had a successful career flying as corporate pilot for Resorts International Casinos, Commerce Group and as a private pilot for the Truex family.

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