Update: Ohio vacationer drowns in ocean in Surfside Beach, coroner says
An unresponsive man was pulled from the ocean in Surfside Beach Thursday afternoon.
Alton “Wayne” Fonville Jr., 70, died at a local hospital following a sudden medical emergency that occurred while swimming in the ocean near 16th Avenue North in Surfside Beach, according to an email Horry County Deputy Coroner Michelle McSpadden. He was vacationing from West Chester, Ohio.
Surfside Beach Police Chief William Mickle said that officers and rescue crews responded at 1 p.m. to a possible drowning.
A male was pulled from the ocean and was unresponsive, the chief said.
Lifesaving actions were administered and he was transported to the hospital.
This story was originally published September 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM.
Terri Richardson
The Sun News