Utah man dies following snorkeling incident off Po‘ipū Beach Park waters

A Utah visitor died after snorkeling in waters off Po‘ipū Beach Park on Thursday.

According to a preliminary report, shortly before 10:35 a.m., bystanders noticed an unresponsive snorkeler, later identified as 62-year-old Leonard Boteilho of Riverton, Utah, in waters off the west end of Po‘ipū Beach Park.

Bystanders in the water brought the man to shore where they began administering CPR. OSB personnel at the Po‘ipū Beach Lifeguard Tower were notified and took over CPR efforts once on scene. According to witness reports, the victim had been snorkeling for approximately 15 minutes and did not show signs of distress before being pulled from the water.

Personnel with the Ocean Safety Bureau, Kalāheo fire station, American Medical Response, and the Kaua‘i Police Department responded to the incident.

AMR personnel arrived on scene and continued advanced life-saving treatment on the swimmer while in transport to Wilcox Medical Center, where he later died. An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of his death.

The Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau and Life’s Bridges (a grief counseling nonprofit) are assisting the man’s family.