UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (6/1/09)

A man apparently drowned Saturday (May 30) at Laupāhoehoe Point Park.

North Hilo officers and Hawai’i Fire Department personnel responded to a 10 a.m. report of a diver in distress in waters off Laupāhoehoe Point Park.

Upon arrival, the victim, identified as 59-year-old Fredrick Perez of Hilo, was unresponsive. Perez had been diving with four companions and had difficulty shortly after entering the water. He had gone limp under water and had to be pulled onto shore by his companions and bystanders.

The Fire Department administered aid at the scene and then took Perez to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and are awaiting autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death.

POSTED (5/30/09)
Fire/Rescue crews responded to a 10:02 a.m. alarm Saturday morning (May 30) for a diver at Laupahoehoe Point.

A 59 year-old man was diving with friends and began to struggle in rough surf. His friends were able to get the man onto rocks and CPR was performed by bystanders. Rescue crews airlifted the diver from the rocks by Chopper One and he was transported by a Honokaa medic unit in critical condition to Hilo Medical Center.