Woman victim of apparent drowning in S. Kohala

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A California woman apparently drowned Thursday while snorkeling in waters along the South Kohala coast.

A California woman apparently drowned Thursday while snorkeling in waters along the South Kohala coast.

The Hawaii Police Department identified the woman as 70-year-old Eileen Melville of Midvalley, Calif.

South Kohala patrol officers responded shortly after noon to Beach 69 in Puako to a report of an unresponsive snorkeler, according to police. Bystanders reportedly pulled the woman from the water and performed CPR until fire rescue personnel arrived.

She was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital where she died at 1:17 p.m., according to police.

Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.