Na’alehu Man Dies at Ka’alualu Bay
According to the Hawai’i Police Department a 68-year-old man died Monday in the waters off Ka’alualu Bay in South Point.
The unresponsive swimmer, identified as Perfecto Mercado of Na’alehu, was found floating in the water about 40 to 50 yards off the bay.
Police responded at 5:11 p.m. to the end of South Point Road after receiving a report of a possible drowning.
Bystanders had already removed the man from the water and taken him to South Point Road. It was there that they were met by police and Hawai’i Fire Department medics.
Mercado was taken to Ka’u Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:49 p.m.
Foul play is not suspected. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.