2 dead after apparent drowning off Keauhou resort

KAILUA-KONA — Two swimmers apparently drowned Sunday afternoon in waters fronting the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay.

Hawaii Fire Department personnel responded to the area at about 4:10 p.m. after receiving a call about two people floating face down in the ocean, about 40 feet from shore. Hawaii Police spokesman Alan Richmond said Monday that witnesses reported hearing a female voice yelling for help in the rough waters.

Upon arrival, crews were provided assistance of a tour boat that was docked in the Keauhou Boat Harbor near the hotel. Boarding the watercraft, personnel located two victims after about a 2-minute search.

The first was a man, approximately 40 to 50 years old located about 15 feet from the coastline and the other was a woman in her 40s about 40 feet out.

“Both were rescued from the water and taken to the boat where resuscitation efforts were initiated while patients were transported back to the pier,” fire officials say.

Once on shore, the swimmers were transported in critical condition by medics to Kona Community Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Richmond said it was not yet determined if the decedents were visitors or residents.