HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR101419MalevisitordiesinwatersoffWaiohaiBeachTHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
C os
News Release
For Immediate Release: October 14, 2019
KAUA`I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
Male visitor dies in waters off Waiohai Beach
PO`IPO — A 49-year-old male visitor died Sunday in waters off Waiohai Beach in Po`ipu.
He has been identified as Karl Lechner of Washington.
According to a preliminary investigation, the man was snorkeling with his wife at
approximately 11:30 a.m. when she discovered him unresponsive in the water. She called out
for help and swam Lechner towards the shore where she was assisted by bystanders.
Lifeguards arrived on scene and immediately began administering CPR. Responding
firefighters and AMR medics arrived shortly after and took over advanced resuscitation efforts
while in transport to Wilcox Hospital. The man could not be revived and was pronounced dead
by a medical doctor at Wilcox Hospital.
An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of his death, but foul play is not
suspected.
Volunteers with Life's Bridges, a grief counseling service, assisted the man's family.