MOLOAA — A Pennsylvania man died while swimming in waters off Ka‘aka‘aniu Beach, also known as Larsen’s Beach, in Moloa‘a on Wednesday afternoon.
MOLOAA — A Pennsylvania man died while swimming in waters off Ka‘aka‘aniu Beach, also known as Larsen’s Beach, in Moloa‘a on Wednesday afternoon.
Police have identified him as Scott Harmon, 48.
According to a preliminary investigation, Harmon was swimming with a friend about 1:30 p.m. when he became distressed then unresponsive in the water. A bystander on the unguarded beach noticed the men in distress and swam out to them with a rescue tube. Harmon was brought to shore where the bystanders began administering CPR.
Lifeguards from the Ocean Safety Bureau’s East Roving Unit were first on scene, followed by firefighters from the Hanalei fire station. Once on scene, personnel continued resuscitation efforts until Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 arrived and airlifted the man to a nearby landing zone on Ko‘olau Road.
Awaiting medics transported Harmon to Wilcox Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy is pending for later this week to determine the cause of his death.
Representatives from Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service, assisted Harmon’s family.
