KILAUEA — A California man died while swimming off Larsen’s Beach Tuesday morning. Bystanders called 911 about 10:30 a.m. when two swimmers were swept out and appeared to be in distress. When firefighters arrived, they found that one swimmer had
KILAUEA — A California man died while swimming off Larsen’s Beach Tuesday morning.
Bystanders called 911 about 10:30 a.m. when two swimmers were swept out and appeared to be in distress.
When firefighters arrived, they found that one swimmer had made it safely back to shore while another male was still in the water.
A firefighter paddled out and brought the man, identified as Jeff Yann, back to shore on a paddle board and Rescuers utilized Air 1 to bring Yan, who was unresponsive, to a nearby location. Yan, 73, was transported to Mahelona Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
This is Kauai’s 11th drowning this year.
Larsen’s Beach is an unguarded North Shore beach, but the Kauai Lifeguard Association install rescue tubes there.
This is the first reported drowning in the area this year. But a couple was rescued in July after being swept out to sea while snorkeling.
Harold Sperazza was rescued by a fellow swimmer who was able to reach him, carrying a yellow rescue tube. His wife, Melanie Lyte, was rescued by county firefighters.
In October 2015, officials called off a search for a Kapaa man who was last seen at his daughter’s home on Sept. 26. Emir Castillo told family he was interested in exploring an underwater cave near Larsen’s Beach.
The National Weather Service has issued a high surf warning for the County of Kauai that will be in effect through 6 p.m. Thursday.
