Hawaii island police are currently investigating a potential drowning incident with a visitor that occurred on Saturday morning in the waters off Kau.
The visitor has been identified as Carson Philbin, a 24-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Patrol officers from the Kau District promptly responded to the South Point area on Saturday morning at 11:23 a.m. after receiving reports of multiple swimmers in distress, as stated in an official statement. According to the police, four individuals, three men and one woman, entered the ocean near the “hoist” area and encountered difficulties due to the rough ocean conditions.
According to the police, three out of the four distressed swimmers were assisted by local bystanders and managed to make it back to shore safely. A swimmer, later identified as Philbin, was carried away by the current and taken further out into the ocean. A witness observed Philbin about 75 yards away from the shore before disappearing beneath the water.
The body of Philbin was found by local fishermen and the Hawaii Fire Department. He was taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was later declared deceased.
A request has been made for an autopsy to ascertain the precise cause of death. The investigation is still in progress.
Note: The Hawaii Police Department is asking anyone who has any information regarding this incident to contact Kau Patrol officer Paul Wright III at (808) 939-2520.