A Kaʻu man died Monday in waters off Kaalualu Bay, the Hawaii Police Department reports.
A Kaʻu man died Monday in waters off Kaalualu Bay, the Hawaii Police Department reports.
The victim has been identified as 68-year-old Perfecto Mercado of Naalehu.
At 5:11 p.m. Monday, police responded to the end of South Point Road for a report of a possible drowning. Mercado was found unresponsive and floating in waters approximately 40 to 50 yards off Kaalualu Bay.
Bystanders removed him from the water and moved him to South Point Road. There, they were met by police and Hawaii Fire Department medics, who transported him to Kaʻu Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 6:49 p.m. Monday.
Police do no suspect foul play. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.