Police investigating possible drowning of visiting Connecticut man in South Kona

Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a possible Friday afternoon (Dec. 26) drowning in South Kona of a 62-year-old man visiting from Connecticut.

The man was positively identified as Bryan Coppola of Bethlehem, Conn.

Police responded at 1:35 p.m. Friday to Kona Community Hospital following a reported possible drowning.

Officers learned during their investigation that Coppola and a family member were snorkeling a short time earlier at Ho‘okena Beach Park, a nearly 11-mile drive south of Captain Cook, when Coppola showed signs of distress.

The 62-year-old was unresponsive when he was brought to shore. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, was performed on Coppola at the beach until Hawai‘i Fire Department medics arrived.

Medics continued CPR while transporting him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No foul play is suspected at this time. Police continue to investigate.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Hawai‘i Police Department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311 or contact Officer Cody Sheddy with Kona Patrol via email at cody.sheddy@hawaiipolice.gov.