Hawaii Island police are investigating a possible drowning that occurred Sunday in waters off Puna.
Around 6 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a report of a swimmer in distress at Kehena Beach, according to police. Bystanders had already pulled the swimmer from the ocean and began CPR until personnel from the Hawaii Fire Department arrived and continued life saving measures. However, attempts to resuscitate the victim at the scene were unsuccessful.
The 72-year-old man was identified as Gabriel DeSilva of Pahoa.
Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the department’s nonemergency line at (808) 935-3311.